One Nation Toryism #1: A Timeless Tradition
A vision to revitalise the UK and save the Conservative Party
Britain is in crisis. We have become a country of low productivity, anaemic economic growth, gross regional disparities, stagnant wages, and punitive housing and childcare costs. If the “British disease” ever went away, it is certainly back with a vengeance. The symptoms of this sickness are plain to see, but the causes are complex and stem from the broader economic trends and policies that have shaped our country over recent decades.
The uncritical embrace of globalisation has resulted in the erosion of our manufacturing sector and an increased dependence on low-wage service industries, leading to a sustained decline in the standard of living for many working-class families and communities. Meanwhile, successive governments have chosen austerity over investment when seeking to restore health to the public finances, leading not to prosperity for all but some of the highest levels of income inequality in Europe.
To address these issues, and if the Conservatives are to win in 2024 or beyond, the party must embrace its One Nation tradition and reject the raw dogma of its libertarian minority. One Nation Tories, in contrast to their libertarian colleagues – as epitomised by the Truss government – recognise the positive impact that government can have on promoting economic growth, healing regional divides, and advancing social justice.
Rooted in the mid-nineteenth century, the One Nation tradition was inspired by Conservative leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli's vision for a more inclusive and equitable society, breaking from the laissez-faire doctrine that had come to characterise the Conservative Party. One Nation principles have since been embraced by some of the greats of the party, including Stanley Baldwin, Winston Churchill, and Harold Macmillan.
While the challenges facing Britain are deeply ingrained and the result of decades of neglect, they can be overcome by the pragmatic stewardship of One Nation Toryism and a recognition of the good that government can do.
To tackle low productivity and sluggish economic growth, the Government must reject the post-1979 neoliberal order and play an active role in reviving British manufacturing. If the key to boosting economic growth is productivity growth, then the Government must recognise that productivity is around 25 per cent higher in manufacturing than it is in services. If the Government’s aim is a growing economy that provides opportunities to all parts of the UK, it must revive manufacturing and end its obsession with the London-centric services sector. This is the only way to truly level up and regenerate Britain’s post-industrial regions that have been neglected for far too long.
To address the housing crisis, the Government must reform planning laws to allow more homes to be built. A lack of housing has denied people a stake in their communities and crippled economic growth. The Government must also provide more financial support and choice for families with children, as well as simplify the legislation concerning the provision of childcare.
In contrast to the libertarians, One Nation Tories understand the importance of reducing inequality, which only fuels resentment, apathy, and populism. To create a more equal society, the Government must reform and simplify our outdated tax system to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share. The current settlement rewards those who are lucky or artful in the accumulation of wealth but penalises those who earn a living through hard work and industry. Reducing inequality must also mean boosting investment in education and skills training, to ensure that all are able to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the twenty-first century.
But One Nation Toryism is about more than just economic policy; it is also about understanding the value of strong families, thriving communities, and national solidarity. The commitment to these values is often lacking in today's political discourse, with both the libertarians on the right and the exponents of identity politics on the left denigrating the importance of the ties that bind us and give life meaning.
For One Nation conservatives, the family unit is the backbone of strong and prosperous societies. It is in the family that we learn the importance of reciprocity – the give and take that establishes a sense of justice and fairness – that is the foundation of considerate and cohesive communities. By strengthening families, we therefore bolster the wider community and create a society based on trust and good faith that enable individuals to prosper.
Strong communities are essential for fostering a sense of belonging that is so important to the human condition. One Nation Tories therefore understand the importance of investing in local communities, whether it is through funding for community organisations and institutions or supporting the development of local infrastructure. We reject the argument of those on the left that a desire to belong to a community and to feel proud of it is little more than nostalgic parochialism, and we reject with equal fervour the argument of the libertarian right that communities should simply be allowed to fail.
One Nation Toryism is also about national unity and fostering a shared commitment to common goals. The Government must work to promote a strong and inclusive national identity that transcends regional, cultural, and economic divides. This could include supporting programmes and initiatives that bring people together – both nationally and locally – and encouraging the celebration of shared cultural traditions. One Nation conservatives understand that humans have an innate need for a shared sense of identity and belonging, fulfilled through membership of both a local and national community. Nationhood provides an important framework for collective action, cultural expression, and a shared understanding of history and tradition that fosters a sense of unity and social cohesion among its members – allowing them to work together towards higher goals that cannot be achieved alone.
The Conservative Party has lost its way. If it is to remain relevant in modern Britain, it must embrace its One Nation roots. By embracing the principles of One Nation, the Tories can fix the structural problems in our economy, reverse the tide of managed decline, and restore pride of place to our forgotten communities. This will mean investing in manufacturing, tackling the twin housing and childcare crises, and reforming the tax system to create a more inclusive and equitable society. If the Conservatives are to have a future, they must look to their past.
Ethan Dodds is an Adviser at a Pooled Research Facility based in the Houses of Parliament. Follow him on Twitter @DoddsEthan
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