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HAS DAVID CAMERON MOVED THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY BACK TOWARD ONE NATION CONSERVATISM
Has David Cameron since 2005 truly managed to transform the Conservative party back towards its one nation roots of Benjamin Disraeli, Harold Macmillan and Stanley Baldwin? Has he managed to weaken the roots of Thatcherism within the party? Is the party firmly planted back within the centre ground of politics?
Has David Cameron moved the Conservative party back toward One Nation Conservatism
Yes, because... Has David Cameron managed to move the party back towards a One Nation ethos?
David Cameron has managed to move the party back towards the traditional One Nation roots, focusing the party on a inclusive socially liberal centrist ethos. The party now accepts gay rights and civil partnerships, admitting its mistake in introducing section 28 and rejecting its traditional victorian moral hectoring. The party has moved towards a inclusive agenda with regards to minorities, accepting the multi-racial mix of modern Britain. There belief has been re-founded in strong local government, fitting into its new localism agenda. The dedication to the NHS and education reform are points that show a clear acceptance of such institutions and there importance to people. Finally the party has rediscovered its commitment to helping those that need help and creating a society that works together, with emphasis on community.
In the 21st Century, I hardly think it an acheivement for a mainstream political party to accept ethnic minorities in a multi-cultural society such as the United Kingdom.
However, whats the Conservatives do and what the Conservatives actually mean are two very different things. If you look at the percentage break down of the conservative party, the majority of its MPs are old white and male. Yes, they may have a brown haired figure head, but a figure head is all that Cameron is. The traditional Victorian style of politics is still very much in play, and looking at the constitution of the members of the party emphasises this.
Vote on this point: Has David Cameron managed to move the party back towards a One Nation ethos?
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Has David Cameron moved the Conservative party back toward One Nation Conservatism
Yes, because... Has David Cameron managed to weaken the roots of Thatcherism?
The hold of Thatcherism over the Conservative party has weakened since David Cameron became leader in 2005, with a repudiation of some of her beliefs and clear distinctions between her party and that of David Cameron. The party under Cameron has placed emphasis on the environment, unemployment, international development, poverty, education, strong local government and the NHS. The party when Thatcher was leader was seen as been hostile at best towards these policy areas and therefore out of bounds for them to attempt to propose anything on these policy area's. The next generation of Conservative MPs in 2010 are a more socially liberal, inclusive and modern group than that under Margaret Thatcher and still there in some quarters of the party.
Has David Cameron moved the Conservative party back toward One Nation Conservatism
Yes, because... Has the Conservative Party moved back into the centre of British politics?
David Cameron has managed to bring the Conservative party back into the mainstream of British politics and planted the flag of Conservatism firmly within the centre-right of politics. The Conservatives have now managed to establish credibility by moving back into the centre of British politics and focusing on area's such as the NHS, education, local government, poverty, unemployment and international development.
Point 1. Has David Cameron managed to move the party back towards a One Nation ethos?
David Cameron has managed to move the party back towards the traditional One Nation roots, focusing the party on a inclusive socially liberal centrist ethos. The party now accepts gay rights and civil partnerships, admitting its mistake in introducing section 28 and rejecting its traditional victorian moral hectoring. The party has moved towards a inclusive agenda with regards to minorities, accepting the multi-racial mix of modern Britain. There belief has been re-founded in strong local government, fitting into its new localism agenda. The dedication to the NHS and education reform are points that show a clear acceptance of such institutions and there importance to people. Finally the party has rediscovered its commitment to helping those that need help and creating a society that works together, with emphasis on community.
In the 21st Century, I hardly think it an acheivement for a mainstream political party to accept ethnic minorities in a multi-cultural society such as the United Kingdom.
However, whats the Conservatives do and what the Conservatives actually mean are two very different things. If you look at the percentage break down of the conservative party, the majority of its MPs are old white and male. Yes, they may have a brown haired figure head, but a figure head is all that Cameron is. The traditional Victorian style of politics is still very much in play, and looking at the constitution of the members of the party emphasises this.
Point 2. Has David Cameron managed to weaken the roots of Thatcherism?
The hold of Thatcherism over the Conservative party has weakened since David Cameron became leader in 2005, with a repudiation of some of her beliefs and clear distinctions between her party and that of David Cameron. The party under Cameron has placed emphasis on the environment, unemployment, international development, poverty, education, strong local government and the NHS. The party when Thatcher was leader was seen as been hostile at best towards these policy areas and therefore out of bounds for them to attempt to propose anything on these policy area's. The next generation of Conservative MPs in 2010 are a more socially liberal, inclusive and modern group than that under Margaret Thatcher and still there in some quarters of the party.
In any debate around the influence of Thatcherism in the modern Conservative Party it seems important to treat "Thatcherism" in two strands, namely; economic policy being one and social policy being the other.
Arguably, the economic policy enacted by Margaret Thatcher during her premiership is now firmly entrenched in the mainstream of political opinion. Blair and Brown have accepted the Conservative policies around the free-market, they have not increased (until recently) the top rate of tax and they have not repealed Thatcher's laws around Union picketing. Thatcher's privatisation of many public services has also been untouched, quite the reverse; with plans in the pipeline for further sales (notably, of course, Royal Mail). The key differences between Labour and the preceding Thatcher government has been the latters' huge increase in public spending, its cutting of the lowest rate of tax and the introduction of tax credits. Until recently, with the collapse of the financial sector, Labour seemed not too distant from Thatcherism. In terms of economic policy, the financial crisis has allowed some "clear blue water" to emerge between the parties; mainly around where cuts should fall. The Tories are advocating a cut in corporation tax, a freeze in public sector pay , all with a view to cut the deficit; sooner rather than later. All things that I feel would make Lady Thatcher smile.
As for social policy, it cannot be argued that David Cameron is very much trying to make the Tory Party resemble compassionate Conservatives. However, on education the tories support Academies (a Labour invention; involving private partners investing in schools and then the school itself having independance) which is very much in-keeping with Thatcher's "small government" obsession. And on Local Government; the tories are now the largest party in local government, with something like 10,000 councillors, I would imagine that had Lady Thatcher of had such an overwhelming strangle-hold on local politics then she may well have advocated for more power to the boroughs as well. A cynical observer may wonder if Cameron would change his mind, were the tide to turn.
Alongside both these points; it is worth noting that the Conservative Way Foward, the group set-up to further Thatcherite policies, has as much influence as ever (Cameron's nince principles are taken from it), with an increased membership over recent years. On the other hand, the Tory Reform Group, similiar to the former, but with One Nation Conservative ideals, has suffered from a decline in membership. What does this tell us?
Overall, its a very good question; in some ways yes it has appeared to remove Thatcherism, most notably in social policy areas. However, its stance on Europe and in economic terms, perhaps not.
Point 3. Has the Conservative Party moved back into the centre of British politics?
David Cameron has managed to bring the Conservative party back into the mainstream of British politics and planted the flag of Conservatism firmly within the centre-right of politics. The Conservatives have now managed to establish credibility by moving back into the centre of British politics and focusing on area's such as the NHS, education, local government, poverty, unemployment and international development.