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Matt Clifford: 'Make Britain Rich Again' Speech
Matt Clifford — co-founder of Entrepreneurs First, chair of ARIA and author of the UK government's AI Opportunities Action Plan — joins just after turning 40. He explains the backstory of his viral 'Make Britain Rich Again' speech at Lawrence Newport's Looking for Growth 'Make or Break' event: recorded without him realising, now at roughly a million views, and arguing that stagnation is a choice and growth isn't left-versus-right because whatever you care about, you must be able to pay for it.
Entrepreneurs First & the UK's AI-for-Science Bet
Matt traces Entrepreneurs First back to leaving McKinsey with Alice Bentinck and the thesis that a country's growth depends on what its most ambitious people choose to do; EF's 'talent investors' nudge bright Brits toward founding instead of banking or consulting. He argues the UK shouldn't resent founders moving to the US — early Silicon Valley immersion is valuable — and says Britain's winnable niche is AI applied to science, citing DeepMind, Demis Hassabis's AlphaFold Nobel, the Crick Institute and ARIA's AI-for-science programme in King's Cross.
PM Rumours & Show Sign-Off
Asked about X users pledging money for him to run for Prime Minister, Matt says he's amused and flattered but already has two jobs, adding that mainstream politicians need a language for builders whose energy is 'up for grabs.' He reveals this is his only interview since the speech went viral, and the hosts thank him, repeat the Airwallex read and sign off until Thursday.