“I love people who take responsibility, start their own businesses and invest.” So claimed the Prime Minister in her speech at Conservative Party Conference.

Over the next two years (assuming she makes it), we will see whether she makes good on this and other claims. Although the opinion polls suggest that people already have pretty strong opinions on her and the Conservatives, now is the time to engage – even for those who want a change of government. Since I started working in think tanks, I can’t remember a better opportunity to make an impact on policy.

Any new government wants to get things done. But one with such a short potential ‘use by’ date will inevitably be in a big rush – particularly with a possible recession looming. I also think there is something unique in Truss’s openness to new ideas. This is partly the result of her not having had years in opposition to plan her agenda in detail, but also because from what little I have gleaned from the times I’ve met her, she doesn’t seem the sort to pass up the opportunity to make radical changes.

Of course, being radical isn’t inherently good. From my perspective, the Home Secretary Suella Braverman sounds pretty radical in a bad way by objecting to increasing visas for Indians as part of the trade deal. I wouldn’t worry too much though. Downing Street will likely rebuke her, as they did with her call for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights: “As Suella acknowledged, her personal views are contrary to government policy and if she wishes to make those views known within government she should do so in a more appropriate setting.” And pleasingly, the FT carried reports this week on Truss's plans to make it easier and cheaper for businesses to make intra-company transfers.

But being radical isn’t inherently bad either. Sometimes things need to change, and talking to ministers, MPs and special advisers, they’re genuinely on the hunt for more ideas. Obviously Truss will be most receptive to ideas that are within her ideological worldview, but I don’t think this is as narrow as many assume. For example, the Government’s decision to widen the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Startup Loans, and introduce the Long-term Investment in Technology and Science (LIFTS), suggest they are open to more than just tax cuts and deregulation.

Remember, it was Margaret Thatcher who created the Enterprise Allowance Scheme – a guaranteed income for unemployed people to set up their own business, without which the world would be bereft of Creation Records, Superdry, Tracey Emin and Viz magazine. Sometimes only Nixon can go to China.

A decent chunk of our policy papers are inspired by entrepreneurs and those that support them. We’re still promoting our ideas that haven’t yet to be adopted, but we’re always on the lookout for more areas to investigate. And if this Government doesn't want them, then they’ll be ready and waiting for the next one.

So what are your big ideas? What are your small ideas? What are the good ideas you’ve read? What is holding you back as an entrepreneur, that you don’t know how to solve? Let me know.

Big LIFTS?
The mini-Budget announced the Long-term Investment in Technology and Science (LIFTS) initiative, providing up to £500 million to support new funds designed to catalyse investment from pensions schemes and other investors into the UK’s pioneering science and technology businesses.

To update you on this, the British Business Bank and the Office for Investment are now leading some market engagement on the scheme. If you have developed thoughts on this please get in touch. After the engagement, the Government will then launch a call for proposals. And then, once selected, the new LIFTS vehicle(s) will receive the relevant government support and raise funds before beginning to invest.