What is One Nation politics and who is the One Nation party today?
John Denham MP, Lord Shipley, David Skelton
Author: Localis |
- Rt Hon. John Denham MP, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen and Former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
- Lord Shipley, Liberal Democrat Peer and Government Cities Advisor
- David Skelton, Former Deputy Director of Policy Exchange and Founder of Renewal – a campaign to broaden Conservative appeal
- Dr Richard Carr, Research Fellow in History, Anglia Ruskin University, author of One Nation Britain: History, the progressive tradition and practical ideas for today’s politicians
The concept of One Nation politics was reintroduced into the political mainstream by Ed Miliband’s speech at Labour Party Conference last year. Since then, that party has framed its agenda under the One Nation umbrella. But other parties have put their flag on this terrain previously, and would claim to speak for much of the same ideals.
David Cameron’s Conservative Party appropriated the One Nation mantle in opposition, and has included ‘One Nation’ Tories such as Ken Clarke in government.
The Lib Dems too have pointed to the enduring affection for David Lloyd George and William Beveridge as evidence that they have also historically been a One Nation party.
But what is it to be a One Nation Party today? What policies does this entail? What does it mean adopting, and what does it mean rejecting? What is distinctive about One Nation Labour, Conservatism and Liberalism compared to the others?
This debate was held in Westminster on Tuesday 9th July at 10am, bringing together speakers from the three major parties to answer these pressing questions.