One Nation Conservatism
Encyclopedia
'One nation', 'one nation conservatism', and 'Tory democracy' are terms used in political debate in the United Kingdom
to refer to a certain wing of the Conservative Party
. The term denotes a political stance aspiring towards unity of the citizenry in the nation, as well as harmony between divergent classes and interest groups, as opposed to the social polarisation seen in the likes of both militant socialism and Thatcherism
.
The term derives indirectly from one of Benjamin Disraeli's political novels, Sybil, or the Two Nations
, in which he described Britain as "Two nations between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets: the rich and the poor." Lord Randolph Churchill
would also use the term "Tory democracy" in this Disraelian sense in the late-Victorian
era.
British prime ministers Stanley Baldwin
, Harold Macmillan
and Edward Heath
, as well as leading politicians such as Rab Butler
, were leading figures of One nation conservatism.
, Sir Keith Joseph
, and John Nott
, felt that the old model of one nation Tory paternalism, as practised by Macmillan and Heath, had, by 1979, failed. Its political failure had been evident in the Conservatives losing four out of the past five general elections, and its socio-economic failure was manifest in the relatively high levels of unemployment and inflation
of the UK of the 1970s.
The new breed (referred to as the "dries", as opposed to the one nation "wets") believed that one nation conservatism had been mistaken in not challenging the post-war consensus
, and that a radical new approach to governing was necessary if the United Kingdom was to ever break out of the pattern of decline that had come to a head in the Winter of Discontent
of 1978 & early 1979. However, whilst inflation came under control during the Thatcher years, although it was higher in 1990 than in 1979, unemployment reached as high as 3.6 million.
Unsurprisingly, one nation conservatives (e.g. Ted Heath
) were often the most vocal critics of Thatcher's policies within the Conservative Party.
's first Prime Minister
, Sir John A. Macdonald
, was heavily influenced by the ideals of the 'one nation' movement. Gad Horowitz
would trace the ideological development in Canada, and would coin the term Red Tory
to describe it. Canadian philosopher George Grant
stated that, "One cannot understand the Conservatism of Canada without thinking of Disraeli."
"One nation" was also used in the Progressive Conservative Party
in opposition to the proposed deux nations policy.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to refer to a certain wing of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. The term denotes a political stance aspiring towards unity of the citizenry in the nation, as well as harmony between divergent classes and interest groups, as opposed to the social polarisation seen in the likes of both militant socialism and Thatcherism
Thatcherism
Thatcherism describes the conviction politics, economic and social policy, and political style of the British Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher, who was leader of her party from 1975 to 1990...
.
The term derives indirectly from one of Benjamin Disraeli's political novels, Sybil, or the Two Nations
Sybil (novel)
Sybil, or The Two Nations is an 1845 novel by Benjamin Disraeli. Published in the same year as Friedrich Engels's The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844, Sybil traces the plight of the working classes of England...
, in which he described Britain as "Two nations between whom there is no intercourse and no sympathy; who are as ignorant of each other's habits, thoughts, and feelings, as if they were dwellers in different zones, or inhabitants of different planets: the rich and the poor." Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Churchill
Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill MP was a British statesman. He was the third son of the 7th Duke of Marlborough and his wife Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane , daughter of the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry...
would also use the term "Tory democracy" in this Disraelian sense in the late-Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
era.
British prime ministers Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
, Harold Macmillan
Harold Macmillan
Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC was Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 January 1957 to 18 October 1963....
and Edward Heath
Edward Heath
Sir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
, as well as leading politicians such as Rab Butler
Rab Butler
Richard Austen Butler, Baron Butler of Saffron Walden, KG CH DL PC , who invariably signed his name R. A. Butler and was familiarly known as Rab, was a British Conservative politician...
, were leading figures of One nation conservatism.
One nation conservatives and Thatcher
One nation conservatism fell into disfavour in the mid 1970s. The rising generation of Conservative politicians, represented by such figures as Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
, Sir Keith Joseph
Keith Joseph
Keith St John Joseph, Baron Joseph, Bt, CH, PC , was a British barrister and politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet under three Prime Ministers , and is widely regarded to have been the "power behind the throne" in the creation of what came to be known as...
, and John Nott
John Nott
Sir John William Frederic Nott KCB is a former British Conservative Party politician prominent in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
, felt that the old model of one nation Tory paternalism, as practised by Macmillan and Heath, had, by 1979, failed. Its political failure had been evident in the Conservatives losing four out of the past five general elections, and its socio-economic failure was manifest in the relatively high levels of unemployment and inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
of the UK of the 1970s.
The new breed (referred to as the "dries", as opposed to the one nation "wets") believed that one nation conservatism had been mistaken in not challenging the post-war consensus
Post-war consensus
The post-war consensus is a name given by historians to an era in British political history which lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 to the election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979....
, and that a radical new approach to governing was necessary if the United Kingdom was to ever break out of the pattern of decline that had come to a head in the Winter of Discontent
Winter of Discontent
The "Winter of Discontent" is an expression, popularised by the British media, referring to the winter of 1978–79 in the United Kingdom, during which there were widespread strikes by local authority trade unions demanding larger pay rises for their members, because the Labour government of...
of 1978 & early 1979. However, whilst inflation came under control during the Thatcher years, although it was higher in 1990 than in 1979, unemployment reached as high as 3.6 million.
Unsurprisingly, one nation conservatives (e.g. Ted Heath
Edward Heath
Sir Edward Richard George "Ted" Heath, KG, MBE, PC was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and as Leader of the Conservative Party ....
) were often the most vocal critics of Thatcher's policies within the Conservative Party.
Possible modern revival
- Since their electoral defeat in 1997 some Conservatives have tried to reclaim the "one nation" ideal for their party: ground which many believe to be now occupied by the New Labour agenda .
- In his 2000 Macmillan Lecture, the Conservative front-bencher Damian GreenDamian GreenDamian Howard Green is a British politician who has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for Ashford since 1997. He came to national prominence after being elected in his constituency. Before standing for parliament, Damian Green was Channel 4's business editor...
MP asked "Who Needs One Nation Conservatism?". He answered: "My answer to the question posed tonight, 'Who needs One Nation Conservatism?' is first the Conservative Party, and secondly the British people." Elsewhere the Conservative Party's former leader William HagueWilliam HagueWilliam Jefferson Hague is the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001...
said, 'The Conservative Party I feel at home in is the party of One Nation reflecting the whole nation'."
- Ferdinand MountFerdinand MountSir William Robert Ferdinand Mount, 3rd Baronet , usually known as Ferdinand Mount, is a British writer and novelist, columnist for The Sunday Times and commentator on politics, and Conservative Party politician...
's 2004 book Mind the Gap offers a clear articulation of the modern British one nation conservative viewpoint.
- Upon his election in 2005, Tory leader David CameronDavid CameronDavid William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
declared the "Nine Principles" of the Conservative Way ForwardConservative Way ForwardConservative Way Forward is a British campaigning group that operates within the Conservative Party. It is a Thatcherite group in outlook and agenda, and Baroness Thatcher herself is the President....
group to be the basis of the party's policy formation. Additionally, in 2009, Cameron wrote for the Tory Reform GroupTory Reform GroupThe Tory Reform Group is a group aligned to, but independent of, the British Conservative Party, that works to promote the values of the One Nation Tory vision...
's journal, Reformer, saying that "the TRG has contributed greatly to the Conservative Party over the last 30 years and is central to where we need to be in the future."
- Phillip BlondPhillip BlondPhillip Blond is an English political thinker, Anglican and theologian, and director of the think tank ResPublica.He gained prominence from a cover story in Prospect magazine in the February 2009 edition with his essay on Red Toryism, which proposed a radical communitarian traditionalist...
, advocate of communitarian conservatism (outlined in his "Rise of the red Tories" article), is said to have Mr Cameron's ear.
- Despite his Thatcherite and traditional conservative stance, Iain Duncan-Smith's work with the Centre for Social JusticeCentre for Social JusticeThe Centre for Social Justice is an independent, not-for-profit thinktank set up by the Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP, to advance the education of the public in the subject of social justice and to promote the role of the voluntary sector...
has been cited by some academics as the best example of British Tory Democracy's revival.
- In the Conservative manifesto for the 2010 general election, "One World Conservatism" was promoted, in support of an increase of Britain's foreign aid to poor countries.
- After the 2010 election returning a 'hung' result, Kenneth ClarkeKenneth ClarkeKenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke, QC, MP is a British Conservative politician, currently Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He was first elected to Parliament in 1970; and appointed a minister in Edward Heath's government, in 1972, and is one of...
(as Lord Chancellor) and Sir George YoungSir George Young, 6th BaronetSir George Samuel Knatchbull Young, 6th Baronet is a British politician. He is currently the Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal, and has served as a Conservative Party Member of Parliament since 1974, having represented North West Hampshire since 1997, and Ealing Acton before...
(as Leader of the House)—president and a patron of the Tory Reform GroupTory Reform GroupThe Tory Reform Group is a group aligned to, but independent of, the British Conservative Party, that works to promote the values of the One Nation Tory vision...
respectively—were part of Cameron'sDavid CameronDavid William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
first Cabinet. They were joined by Iain Duncan-Smith—an ardent Eurosceptic and Thatcherite—found himself taking up the position of Pensions SecretarySecretary of State for Work and PensionsThe Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is a post in the British Cabinet, responsible for the Department for Work and Pensions. It was created on 8 June 2001 by the merger of the Employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security.The Ministry...
in the new coalition government (David DavisDavid Davis (British politician)David Michael Davis is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Haltemprice and Howden...
however did not). Damian GreenDamian GreenDamian Howard Green is a British politician who has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for Ashford since 1997. He came to national prominence after being elected in his constituency. Before standing for parliament, Damian Green was Channel 4's business editor...
—another prominent TRGTory Reform GroupThe Tory Reform Group is a group aligned to, but independent of, the British Conservative Party, that works to promote the values of the One Nation Tory vision...
member—joined them in moving over to the government front benches, becoming Immigration Minister; a position he had shadowed in opposition since 2005.
Canada
CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's first Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
, Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
, was heavily influenced by the ideals of the 'one nation' movement. Gad Horowitz
Gad Horowitz
Gad Horowitz is a noted Canadian political scientist and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto.-Biography:Horowitz was born in Jerusalem and immigrated to Canada with his parents at the age of 2. He grew up in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Montreal.Horowitz earned his BA from the University of...
would trace the ideological development in Canada, and would coin the term Red Tory
Red Tory
A red Tory is an adherent of a particular political philosophy, tradition, and disposition in Canada somewhat similar to the High Tory tradition in the United Kingdom; it is contrasted with "blue Tory". In Canada, the phenomenon of "red toryism" has fundamentally, if not exclusively, been found in...
to describe it. Canadian philosopher George Grant
George Grant (philosopher)
George Parkin Grant, OC, FRSC was a Canadian philosopher, teacher and political commentator, whose popular appeal peaked in the late 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for his nationalism, political conservatism, and his views on technology, pacifism, Christian faith, and abortion...
stated that, "One cannot understand the Conservatism of Canada without thinking of Disraeli."
"One nation" was also used in the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
in opposition to the proposed deux nations policy.
See also
- Wets and dries
- Class collaborationClass collaborationClass collaboration is a principle of social organization based upon the belief that the division of society into a hierarchy of social classes is a positive and essential aspect of civilization.-Class collaboration under capitalism:...
- Other political uses of the term "One NationOne NationOne Nation may refer to:In politics:* One Nation , a nationalist party in Australia** One Nation NSW, a defunct splinter group of the above, operating exclusively in New South Wales* One Nation , a defunct party in Israel...
"
Further reading
- Grant, George, Globe and Mail, Saturday May 8, 1982, pg 15