One Nation Conservatives | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Damian Green |
| Founded | 30 March 2019 |
| Ideology | One-nation conservatism |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| National affiliation | Conservative Party |
| Colours | Blue |
| House of Commons (Conservative seats) | 8 / 121 |
| Website | |
| https://one-nation-conservatives.com/ | |
The One Nation Conservatives is a UK parliamentary caucus of Conservative Party Members of Parliament who identify as one-nation conservatives.
In March 2019, the caucus was formed by a group of between 40 and 50 Conservative MPs. Nicky Morgan and Amber Rudd were announced as co-chairs of the caucus, and Damian Green and Nicholas Soames as board members. The One Nation group was reportedly set up in order to unite MPs around a candidate in the upcoming leadership election who would oppose withdrawing from the European Union without a deal. [1] [2]
On 4 June 2019, the caucus hosted the first leadership election hustings, held across two nights. Both events featured 4 different candidates; the first was chaired by Katy Balls (deputy political editor of The Spectator ) and the second by Matt Forde. [3] [4]
Following Boris Johnson's election as party leader and appointment as Prime Minister, both co-chairs were given positions in his government. Morgan became the new Culture Secretary and Rudd carried on in her role as Work and Pensions Secretary. As a result, they both resigned the chairmanship and were succeeded by Damian Green.
On 3 September 2019, 21 Conservative MPs had the party whip withdrawn after voting in support of an emergency motion to enable the passage of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019, also known as the "Benn Act". [5] The One Nation caucus released a statement soon after, demanding that the whip be restored. [6]
In October, a delegation of caucus members met the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 10 Downing Street to discuss the party's position on a no-deal Brexit at the next general election. Following the meeting, Green announced that Johnson had 'looked him in the eye' and assured them that the next Conservative manifesto would not include a no-deal pledge. [7] It was reported that a number of Cabinet ministers and backbench MPs would be willing to resign in the event that such a manifesto commitment were made. [8] [9]
In May 2019, the caucus published a "Declaration of Values", covering a range of domestic, economic and foreign policy issues. [10] [11]
The United Kingdom: we believe in the United Kingdom as the embodiment of our shared values and as a force for good in defending our values in the world: we are patriotic Conservatives who reject narrow nationalism.
Active global leadership: we believe the UK must be a leader on the world stage through our aid, trade and security commitments to tackle global challenges as a global citizen, through a strong defence and soft power commitment.
Life Chances: we believe that everyone in our country – whoever and wherever they are from – has an equal right to a fair chance in life, and that bold reforms to welfare & vocational skills are central to tackling social injustice and creating an opportunity society.
Social Responsibility: we believe in a strong society, and a social contract between all of us as fellow citizens, supported in our tax and welfare system.
Public Services: we believe in our public services, properly funded by a growing economy, as fundamental to the wellbeing of our nation, in a mixed economy of public, private and third sector providers.
Localism: we believe in the importance of place and Conservatives supporting the local, civic and voluntary over the bureaucratic, statist and compulsory.
Environmental Stewardship: we believe that we all have a responsibility to act as stewards of our local and global environment, for the next generation, and as a duty to show global leadership on climate change and biodiversity.
Markets and values: we believe in free enterprise, business and the market economy with a framework of good regulation to enhance competition, support innovation, break monopolies, empower citizens and reflect our shared values.
Law and Human rights: we believe in universal human rights and the rule of law and are proud of our country and Party's record in promoting them through an independent judiciary, effective enforcement, community policing & policies to prevent crime & social breakdown.
Democratic renewal: we believe that civilised, open respectful political debate in our Party, Parliament & free press, and a vibrant arts & cultural sector, is fundamental to strengthening the health of our society and democracy.
It is estimated that the caucus consists of approximately 110 Conservative MPs as of February 2020. [12] Although a full list of members has not been made public, individual MPs have been identified by the press. They include:
| Term start | Term end | Chair(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 March 2019 | 24 July 2019 | Nicky Morgan |
| Amber Rudd | ||
| 24 July 2019 | present | Damian Green MP |
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