The Third Way Project in Britain: The Role of the Prime Minister's Policy Unit

The reputedly pragmatic Prime Minister's Policy Unit focuses on ‘what works’, but has also sought to elaborate the governing philosophy of the ‘third way’. By explaining what the government is doing and why, the third way is meant to improve electoral performance and policy co-ordination, enhance democracy and unite the party. This article identifies conflicts within and between these goals. It concludes that electoral concerns and party unity have been paramount for the Policy Unit.