What is One Nationism?

2015 has the potential to be an election on par with 1945 and 1979 – one that ushers in a new era and breaks with an old consensus.

Attlee’s post-war consensus was accepted by left and right alike and held together until Thatcher’s entry into office in 1979. Her own consensus has, to varying degrees, held. Much opposition to it has focussed more on how to tinker with the model rather than to overhaul it completely.

Labour’s offer in 2015 has the potential to change this existing model – a state that is willing to intervene but devolve power, a rebalanced economy and a Britain that can be inclusive and openly proud.

A One Nation vision has already put clear blue water between Labour and the Coalition. When forced to pick between standing up for the weak against the strong, the Tories and Liberal Democrats have consistently sided with vested interests, showing no desire to change our current set-up. To challenge a market-focussed doctrine is perceived as unthinkable to those hemmed in by their own ideological constraints.

Voters will have a chance to vote in an election that isn’t just managerial but one that offers a referendum on our current model. For all of the past complaints of ‘they’re all the same’, 2015 will offer a very real choice between two radically different visions for Britain.

The interplay between radicalism and conservatism that marks One Nationism, can speak to people across the country. A focus on community, ties that bind, preservation of what we hold dear and a London 2012 style of inclusive patriotism mix with a radical new approach to the market and an agenda that seeks to reset Britain on a course that works for all of us, not just the few.

But there is still lots about One Nationism that we don’t know and that needs fleshing out ahead of the election so we can make good our promises when in power.

At Fabian New Year Conference we held a member-led session on One Nationism with Lord Stewart Wood that kicked off our Ideas Series for this year.

The Young Fabians will be exploring what One Nationism is by looking at how it relates to different isms; socialism/capitalism, feminism, internationalism, patriotism and environmentalism.

We want to ask the big questions and particularly look at the weaknesses One Nationism has so we can strengthen it before our opponents exploit them. We start this project, like many of you, with far more questions about One Nationism than answers. We hope to add some meat to the bones of One Nationism and be unashamedly Fabian in our focus on ideas and ideology.

Members are being given the opportunity to lead and take part in workshops on these isms with leading MPs and thinkers leading to a pamphlet on One Nationism to be launched at party conference.

If you think you have something to contribute to this debate sign up to help lead in the Young Fabian Ideas Series (#YFIdeas). The deadline is February 25th, so please do sign-up if you’re interested.

One Nationism needs study, criticism and ideas to make it work. I hope all parts of the movement will help Labour piece together a One Nation vision for Britain. The Young Fabians will be doing our bit to assist the party – we’d love it if you could help us.

James Hallwood is the Chair of the Young Fabians