William Cullerne Bown critiques the UK’s current technological strategy, which he terms “Thatcherism 3.0”. This approach, he argues, aligns with neoliberal principles by favouring Big Tech interests and promoting a hands-off regulatory stance. Bown highlights the growing influence of tech giants like Oracle and Microsoft within UK policymaking, particularly through their connections with institutions such as the Tony Blair Institute and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). He contends that this alignment undermines the potential for a socially responsible industrial strategy and risks entrenching existing power structures in the tech industry.
Bown advocates for a reimagined, mission-led industrial strategy that prioritizes public welfare over corporate interests. Drawing inspiration from Harold Wilson’s 1960s initiatives, he calls for a developmental state that actively shapes technological progress to serve societal needs. This vision includes fostering democratic oversight of scientific endeavours, promoting equitable access to technological advancements, and ensuring that science and technology contribute to the common good rather than reinforcing elite dominance. Bown emphasizes the necessity for social democrats to confront the challenges posed by Big Tech and to develop new frameworks for technological governance that align with democratic values.