One Nation Britain: History, the Progressive Tradition, and Practical Ideas for Today’s Politicians

What is One Nation politics? What has it been, and what should be it be today? Since Ed Miliband’s speech at the 2012 Labour Party Conference these questions have been much asked, but not so often clearly answered. Outlining the historical context, and offering suggestions for contemporary thinkers, this comprehensive overview shows how all three major UK political parties have made a significant contribution to the One Nation agenda over the past century and a half. Re-asserting the One Nation tradition inherent in interventionist liberals like Keynes and Lloyd George, it encourages us to look beyond reformist high Tory politicians such as Benjamin Disraeli and sketches out precedents for current politicians in areas such as house building, local government, the living wage, a financial transaction tax, and the welfare state. Providing an accessible guide to the One Nation ideal, Richard Carr gives those of all political persuasions some food for thought whilst pointing the way for future policy making.

Richard Carr is a Research Fellow in History and a member of the Labour History Research Unit at Anglia Ruskin University. His latest book, Veteran MPs and Conservative Politics in the Aftermath of the Great War (Ashgate, 2013), surveys the post-1918 careers of ’One Nation’ Tories such as Harold Macmillan and Anthony Eden who had fought in the First World War before assuming political prominence.