Prosperity Institute was well represented at the 2026 Battle of Ideas. This was the first time we attended the conference, hosting a stand in the exhibition hall and send two speakers onto different panels to discuss some of the most important topics of the age. This was an excellent opportunity to engage with attendees of a lively conference with attendees from across the political spectrum united by free inquiry and genuine debate.
Guy Dampier took part in the panel “Visas for All? Britain’s immigration scandal” with Stella Tsantekidou, James Heartfield, Dr Rakib Ehsan and Dr Remi Adekoya. It was moderated by Luke Gittos. Debate ranged over how much control can be exercised over immigration, what domestic measures might need to be taken to deal with a decline in legal migration, and whether it is the fiscal or cultural impact which is most important. Guy argued that the current methodology used to establish fiscal impact is flawed and that migration could be lower and more fiscally beneficial. In some sectors, cheap labour has been used to prop up inefficiencies, so cutting visas there would lead to short term pain but, like an overweight person doing a couch to 5k challenge, that pain is an integral part of getting fitter.
Paul Coleman took part in the panel “Free Speech For Me And Not For Thee? The Red Lines in Free Expression” with Akiko Hart, Jacob Mchangama, Akua Reindorf KC and Tom Slater. It was chaired by Alistair Donald. Discussion ranged over whether court victories for the gender critical prove that our current laws are fit for purpose to the difficulty in persuading Left and Right to protect the free speech of their opponents. Paul argued fiercely that the decline in our culture of free speech has been caused by increasingly censorial speech laws, which need to be overturned. He argued from long experience that human rights law has failed to defend free speech, so we should look back to the Common Law. He also argued that the free speech crisis is in-part linked to mass immigration, as restrictions on speech have often been imposed to keep the peace amongst increasingly fractious groups.
This was an excellent opportunity to play a prominent role in an important conference which continues to grow. We hope to attend next year and keep promoting the Prosperity Institute’s mission.