The Start-Up Society

How does transformative change happen?

Despite a new government in the UK, change feels slow, public services such as the NHS, prisons and infrastructure are crumbling, and many feel powerless to do anything about it. From politics to technology, often the most significant advances have come from individuals and organisations empowered to innovate beyond the constraints of conventional systems. How can we recapture this spirit today?

Many problems in British history were solved by people taking matters into their own hands. London’s early underground system was built by entrepreneurs. The British education system originated in schools founded by local communities, religious groups and philanthropists. Today, this spirit persists in initiatives like the free schools movement and ARIA (the Advanced Research and Invention Agency). Other movements are beginning to emerge, like the Crush Crime campaign.

However, some argue that we should focus on reforming the state to make it more competent; it’s the only actor that can solve problems like crime and immigration. A re-energised state could reshore key industries or subsidise a new baby boom. Should we focus on retooling our government to play this role, or work around it? Or can these visions be synthesised somehow?

The challenge lies in making innovation easier and more impactful. Policymakers must embrace a culture of experimentation that rewards initiative while managing the risks of failure. Structures need to enable bold thinking without descending into inefficiency or chaos. Too often, sclerosis within institutions prevents change from happening where it is most needed. How can we ensure that public efforts to create change avoid simply adding layers of bureaucracy or displacing roles that the government should fulfil? How can we inject the bold thinking and experimental risk-taking necessary for progress while retaining accountability?

This conference gave me hope for the future of civil discourse in this country – a new generation of people eager to debate serious questions in a spirit of friendship and of fun.

– Attendee of The New Wild West