ResPublica is a British independent public policy think tank, founded in 2009 by Phillip Blond. It describes itself as a multi-disciplinary, non-party political research organisation, whose aim is to create bold solutions to enduring social and economic problems. ResPublica's ideas are founded on the principles of a post-liberal vision of the future which moves beyond the traditional political dichotomies of left and right, and which prioritise the need to recover the language and practice of the common good.
History
, then the Leader of the Opposition, spoke at ResPublica's launch in 2009 and at that time Philip Blond was said to be a major influence on him. Phillip Blond is Director of ResPublica. Until 2017, Max Wind-Cowie was Deputy Director for ResPublica North. In 2011 ResPublica was forced to make staff redundant after financial troubles led to it being unable to pay its rent for a time. Philip Blond was later criticised in the media over "claims he 'raided' the coffers of his own think tank to pursue a jet-set lifestyle." ResPublica was operated by a company called The ResPublica Trust, which entered insolvent Administration in February 2019. The assets were bought by The Respublica Partnership Limited in a pre-packaged insolvency.
Notable publications
ResPublica's report "To Buy, To Bid, To Build: Community Rights for an Asset Owning Democracy", launched on 15 November 2010, listed strategies for privatising under-performing public sector built assets. Greg Clark MP, Minister of State for Decentralisation at the Department for Communities and Local Government, spoke at the launch, which was hosted at NESTA with the support of the Development Trusts Association. As part of the report 'The Community Renewables Economy', ResPublica submitted evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Committee's Local Energy consultation, and to the Department for Energy and Climate Change's Community Energy call for evidence. In November 2013, the motion "to move that this House takes note of the July 2013 report of ResPublica 'Holistic Mission: Social Action and the Church of England'", which was proposed by the then Lord Bishop of Leicester, Tim Stevens, was debated in the House of Lords. In July 2014, ResPublica's report 'Virtuous Banking: Restoring ethos and purpose to the heart of finance' was launched at the Financial Times by Sir Richard Lambert, Chair of the Banking Standards Review council. The report featured proposals for a 'Bankers' Oath' which was reported on widely in the media. In September 2014, ResPublica launched 'Devo Max - Devo Manc', serving as a roadmap for devolution for Greater Manchester with greater control over finances and an elected Mayor. With the signing of the November 2014 Devolution to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority agreement in November 2014, these changes were adopted by the Government and the Combined Authority. In February 2015, ResPublica published 'Restoring Britain's City States: Devolution, public service reform and local economic growth' at the UK Devolution Summit, jointly hosted by ResPublica and The Core Cities. In November 2015, ResPublica's interim report 'The Care Collapse: The imminent crisis in residential care and its impact on the NHS' was released, which projected that the loss of care home beds would cost the NHS £3bn. Later the Government released further funds for the sector in the 2015 Autumn Statement.
Funding
ResPublica has been rated as 'broadly transparent' in its funding by Transparify and has been given a B grade for funding transparency by Who Funds You?
