Evaluate the view that the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson has firmly renounced one-
nations (30 marks)
Traditionally a pragmatic form of Conservative ideology, the ‘one-nation’ branch of
Conservatism refers to the paternalistic duty of the privileged to look out for those less
fortunate in society. One-nation Conservatives are interested in maintaining social cohesion
while implementing Conservative policies. The Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto under
leader Boris Johnson, included a ‘one-nation’ stance on the economy and welfare marking
Boris Johnson’s reassertion of ‘one-nation’ principles into the UK.
Boris Johnson has proposed a number of Conservative welfare party policies surrounding
social justice and healthcare that are based on the ‘one-nation’ Conservative ideology. This is
illustrated by attempts to shift power and wealth within England, including towards many so
called ‘Red Wall’ constituencies that swung from Labour to the Conservatives in the 2019
general election. Johnson’s flagship ‘levelling up’ policy which aims to narrow the degree of
regional inequality in the UK. Johnson’s manifesto set out public spending commitments to
improve infrastructure, skills, and innovation to improve standards of living in deprived
areas. For example, the HS2 railway which aimed to link former industrial areas of the north
to the south of England was a way to combat centralisation, attract employers to areas of high
unemployment and to boost trade and the economy in deprived areas. These ‘one-nation’
principles on welfare in society are supported by the one nation Conservative factions,
including the think tanks ‘Tory Reform Group’ and ‘Bow Group’. However, it can be argued
that Johnson’s levelling up scheme is lacking detail, and his decision to cancel the promised
HS2 link to Leeds poses the argument that he may have proposed the idea to gain ‘Red Wall’
seats rather than any firm ideological commitment.
On welfare, while there was a temporary lift in welfare benefits during the pandemic, there is
little evidence that Johnson follows a coherent ‘one-nation’ ideology. It could be argued that
public pressure – particularly following high profile campaigning by footballer Marcus
Rashford, has driven policy making. For example, Boris Johnson bowed to Rashford’s
campaign to extend free school meals during school holidays during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, despite rising food prices, the Treasury has ended the benefits uplift, and as the
price of electricity and gas has increased sharply, the government’s solution is to offer a loan
to those struggling to cover the costs of essentials. Under the Conservatives there has been
growth in child poverty and increasing reliance on food banks. With increased living costs it
is almost inevitable that inequality between the rich and poor will continue to rise. Reducing
reliance on benefits is aligned to Thatcherite policy that sought to oppose state intervention.
Johnson’s pragmatic view during covid in terms of economic management and supporting
business. For example the furlough and ‘eat out to help out schemes ‘showed progressive
economic reform which aimed to support struggling businesses during lockdowns. The
furlough scheme supported over 9 million jobs. This helped prevent high unemployment and
its economic consequences including higher welfare spending and a deepening of the
inequality gap. Furthermore, the Johnson’s response to the pandemic was driven by
unprecedented state intervention, which links into Disraeli’s theory to ‘unite’ the rich and
poor. However, it could be argued that Johnson was only pragmatic and demonstrated ‘one-
nation’ Conservative qualities due to the circumstances he was presented with. The pandemic
required Johnson to raise income tax and VAT in order to pay for costly damage to the
economy. Prior to the pandemic, Johnson planned to ‘ not raise income, tax, VAT or National
Insurance which renounces one nation conservative policies. Low tax is a policy Thatcher
used continuously during her time as PM. Therefore, Johnson and the Conservative
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