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Senior Conservative Ruth Davidson has vowed the Conservatives will “take the fight to the country” as she launched a new campaign group aimed at winning over millions of centre-right voters. The former Scottish Tory leader said she was “not complacent” about Reform’s surge in the polls as she unveiled Prosper UK alongside former West Midlands Mayor, Sir Andy Street. 

It brings together former Tory MPs and business leaders, and argues the Tories need to reconnect with voters who reject populism from both the left and the right. Ms Davidson said: “If you believe in something, you fight for it. We think [the UK] is a fantastic country, and it needs help.” Prosper UK launches with six founders including ex-Cabinet ministers David Gauke and Amber Rudd. It intends to push the party to the centre-right, saying that the country deserves better than a choice between Labour and Nigel Farage at the next election.

Sir Andy and Baroness Davidson argue that only the Conservatives can provide that alternative by embracing its pragmatic, centre-right, roots. Sir Andy, who served as the first directly-elected West Midlands mayor, said: “I’m thrilled to launch Prosper UK, a new movement to bring hope to the millions of voters who have said they want to see real long-term policies to fix our sagging economy and bring the country back together.”

He added: “There is a clear space for pragmatic and honest, pro-business politics to win support. I call on everyone who shares our values to sign up as supporters of Prosper UK and help shape the future of the UK.”

Baroness Davidson said: “Prosperity is more than money. It is opportunity. It is country which feels on the up and where young people know they can go as far as talent and hard work can take them.”

She added: “I am fed up of Labour and Reform politicians talking Britain down or threatening to blow politics up. Of course, the UK has its problems, but there are people right across the country striving every day to improve their corner of it. It is time to have their backs.”

Prosper UK will work with think tanks, trade bodies and business, to develop a pro-enterprise, pro-growth agenda with insiders insisting it intends to take decisions outside of Westminster. Former CBI Chair Rupert Soames backed the initiative, saying: “Prosper UK believes in the power of private enterprise, investment and innovation to deliver prosperity for the businesses and people of Britain.”

Chief Economist of the Bank of England Andy Haldane said: “What the UK economy sorely needs at this moment is a double dose of optimism and dynamism, powered by rejuvenated regions and empowered businesses.”

Vice Chair Amber Rudd said: “Businesses, entrepreneurs, risk takers in our country should be at the front of politicians’ strategy. That’s how we can grow and deliver in our communities.”

Prosper UK has direct support from more than 70 well-known political figures, many of them former MPs, and Mr Street says he has met with the party leader, Kemi Badenoch, holding a productive conversation about the direction of the Conservatives in the next few years.