Building Britain into a global tech superpower: A Conservative vision

Alan Mak

Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Alan Mak has been the Conservative MP for Havant since 2015. He has held several Ministerial positions and is currently the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology

Building Britain into a global tech superpower is at the heart of the Conservative vision for innovation, growth and enterprise.

Entrepreneurs know that in the world of technology, being the first and fastest gives you a huge advantage. 

It’s a world dominated by agility and ingenuity, and it’s never been more important that the people making the laws that regulate the sector operate in the same way. 

Under the last Conservative Government, Britain took the steps necessary to become a technology and science superpower. 

We Conservatives ensured regulation was not a burden, and the adoption of new technologies was encouraged, hastening a Fourth Industrial Revolution that enabled our homegrown tech talent to bloom. 

But whilst Opposition brings different challenges, our passion for science and technology remains undimmed. 

I’ve had an energetic start in my role as Shadow  DSIT Secretary of State. In the first few weeks, I met with top tech entrepreneurs and investors. I also headed down to the new UCL tech campus to see its world-class labs, and in the House of Commons Chamber, I challenged Labour on its industry-damaging National Insurance Jobs Tax. 

I will remain active throughout 2025 and beyond – our pace of Opposition must match the pace of our visionary technology sector. Over the coming months, we will set out a new Conservative vision that empowers those who create the technologies of tomorrow to know they can do so here in the UK – ensuring they understand that with the Conservatives, they have allies in this mission. 

Whilst Labour tax business, we are on the side of business, which is why our long-term strategy must begin with an understanding of our shared principles with the technology sector. Often, people hear politicians saying “We are the party of business, of entrepreneurs,” but now it’s the Conservative’s duty to prove that to be the case. This will be achieved by:

1. Understanding how we can make Britain the best place to start and grow your tech business. 

2. Finding new ways to get Britain back on track as a world-class research and innovation hub. 

3. Learning how to attract private sector R&D investment with regional tech clusters beyond London and Oxbridge.

4. Aspiring to create a pro-growth, smart regulatory environment, getting the Government out of the way of business.

5. Fostering technology adoption across all sectors, including SMEs and the public sector.

A values-based agenda, which works with the technology sector, not against it, is the right way to form policy for the future. 

And whilst we have some way to go before the next election, the work in partnering with the sector and learning what you need to prosper and develop has already started under my leadership. 

How do we improve the regulatory environment in which business founders operate? 

How do we ensure that on the world stage, Britain attracts mobile founders and tech firms to set up shop here and create the jobs of tomorrow? 

We’ve got our heart in the right place on this. 

But it is only by partnering with the sector that we can truly establish a platform to deliver. 

Entrepreneurs know you need to be agile and think outside the box. 

Colleagues in my team know that, too. 

Labour is not on the side of the tech sector. They inherently do not trust the creators who build businesses and scale a start-up from your garage to become a global leader. 

But the Conservatives are on your side – and we do trust you. 

Let’s work together to ensure that at the next election, making Britain a tech superpower isn’t just an ambition – it comes with a set of ideas that can be delivered. And let’s make that dream a reality.