A new initiative, the National Conversation, has been launched to address growing divisions in the UK, with former Conservative chancellor Sajid Javid warning that the country risks 'being torn apart by our differences'. Co-chaired by Javid and former Labour policy chief Jon Cruddas, the project is led by the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion and convened by the Together Coalition, co-founded by Brendan Cox.
The commission includes figures such as Sara Khan, Andy Street, Laura Marks, Caroline Lucas, and Tim Montgomerie. It aims to gather public views on what it means to be British, English, Scottish, or Welsh, and to identify what unites and divides communities. Participants are asked to complete a 10-minute survey and leave a 60-second voice note detailing their vision for the future.
Professor Melinda Mills of Oxford University, who designed the survey, noted that AI will analyse the voice notes for emotional register and language. Polling from the British Red Cross found that 75% of UK adults believe the country is divided, and 72% say divisions have increased over the past five years.
A report combining public insight, academic research, and expert testimony will be published later this year. Playwright James Graham, who advised on the project, described it as 'the first serious attempt' to set out a shared national vision. The National Conversation runs from 18 May to the end of August.
