The Struggles of Local Economy and Rising Societal Issues

Tom Clougherty is the Executive Director and Ralph Harris Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, and one of Britain’s leading advocates for free markets, limited government, and economic reform. With years of policy experience and a deep understanding of Britain’s institutional dysfunction, Tom offers a no-nonsense diagnosis of the UK’s economic decline.

In this interview, we explore why Britain feels broken - from punitive taxes and housing failures to bureaucratic overreach, political cowardice, and collapsing public services. Tom explains how the UK lost its economic edge, why the middle class is being hollowed out, and what must change to unleash growth and restore national confidence.