Can Britain Grow Again?
Britain's new prime minister inherits an economy that has struggled to grow for years, with less room to maneuver in an increasingly competitive world. Financial Times columnist Gillian Tett explains what's holding Britain back and what it will take to get growth moving again.
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About the Episode
Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, takes office amid sluggish growth, political uncertainty, and intensifying global competition. Financial Times columnist and King's College Cambridge Provost Gillian Tett joins Leslie Vinjamuri to discuss what's holding Britain back and what it will take to restore growth, compete in AI, attract global talent, strengthen ties with Europe, and navigate an increasingly unpredictable relationship with the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Britain’s political instability is rooted in economic stagnation and a fragmenting party system. Multiple viable parties now compete within an electoral system designed for two, allowing small shifts in public opinion to produce dramatic changes in power.
- Andy Burnham’s central challenge is pairing an affordability-focused message with a credible economic program. Tett argues Britain needs “growth, growth, growth”—attracting global talent, encouraging investment, and supporting its strongest industries.
- Brexit weakened Britain’s trade relationships and distracted policymakers from deeper problems such as productivity and infrastructure. Rather than reopening the membership debate, Tett argues Britain should pursue closer economic ties with Europe.
- America's allies are adapting to a less predictable United States. Tett argues Britain's leaders can no longer assume consistent US leadership, forcing the country to rely more heavily on its own economic strengths and strategic partnerships.
- Britain’s universities and expertise in life sciences, quantum, and AI offer a foundation for renewal. The choice, Tett argues, is whether the country remains “a prisoner to our past” or uses its heritage as a springboard for innovation.
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About the Experts
Chair of the Editorial Board and Editor-at-Large, US, Financial Times
Gillian Tett is chair of the editorial board and editor-at-large, US of the Financial Times. She writes weekly columns covering a range of economic, financial, political, and social issues. In 2014 she was named Columnist of the Year in the British Press Awards. In addition, Tett’s past roles include US managing editor, assistant editor, and capital markets editor.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She is Professor of Practice in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London.