Javid launches National Conversation as 75% say Britain is divided — The National Conversation

Sajid Javid launched the national conversation through the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion’s National Conversation project, asking people across the UK to share personal visions of their communities and country. The co-chair said the effort is meant to gather what unites people and what divides them.

Javid said: "Our country is in real peril. Unless we can regain a shared sense of what unites us – of what we have in common – we risk being torn apart by our differences." He also said, "That vision won’t come from politicians – it can only come from the public. I’m a great believer in the wisdom of the public – we hope this conversation gives that wisdom voice."

Javid and Cruddas

The commission is co-chaired by Javid and Jon Cruddas and includes Sara Khan, Andy Street, Laura Marks, Caroline Lucas and Tim Montgomerie. Cruddas said, "Rebuilding Britain’s social fabric and sense of community has never been more urgent."

The project asks what it means to be British, English, Scottish or Welsh, and what makes the country feel like home. It will collect answers through a 10-minute survey, a 60-second voice note and thousands of small group discussions set up by partner organisations across the country.

British Red Cross polling

Polling from the British Red Cross last month found that 75% of UK adults believe Britain is divided as a country, and 72% say it has become more divided over the last five years. Those figures form the backdrop for a project built around mass listening rather than a single poll.

Melinda Mills said AI had "revolutionised" the ability to conduct mass listening exercises. She said the voice notes will be analysed for "the language people choose, the emotional register, the texture of how they actually talk about their communities."

Report later this year

The commission was convened by the Together Coalition, which was co-founded by Brendan Cox, and it has previously taken evidence on housing, education, the economy and trust. A report combining public insight, academic research, expert testimony and commissioners’ deliberation will be published later this year, giving the public’s responses a direct route into the final findings.