Conservative Party Strategy, 1997-2001: Nation and National Identity A dissertation submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy , Claire Elizabeth Harris Department of Politics, University of Sheffield September 2005 Acknowledgements There are so many people I'd like to thank for helping me through the roller-coaster experience of academic research and thesis submission. Firstly, without funding from the ESRC, this research would not have taken place. I'd like to say thank you to them for placing their faith in my research proposal. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Andrew Taylor. Without his good humour, sound advice and constant support and encouragement I would not have reached the point of completion. Having a supervisor who is always ready and willing to offer advice or just chat about the progression of the thesis is such a source of support. Thank you too, to Andrew Gamble, whose comments on the final draft proved invaluable. I'd also like to thank Pat Seyd, whose supervision in the first half of the research process ensured I continued to the second half, his advice, experience and support guided me through the challenges of research. I'd like to say thank you to all three of the above who made the change of supervisors as smooth as it could have been. I cannot easily put into words the huge effect Sarah Cooke had on my experience of academic research. From the beginnings of ESRC application to the final frantic submission process, Sarah was always there for me to pester for help and advice. Without fail she was supportive and kind and went out of her way when she needn't have. Thank you, Sarah, you are a real star! I'd like to say thank you to all those people who gave up their time to enable me to interview them. I was staggered at the willingness of busy people to spend time with a lowly PhD student. Not only did I glean crucial data but I enjoyed my adventures in the Houses of Parliament and elsewhere. Special thanks to William Hague for granting me an interview during his own period of research. Finally, my friends, family and Tom. I couldn't possibly mention everyone who has supported/put up with me whilst completing my thesis. If I did, I'd have to add another chapter, however, a few special mentions are in order. I'd like to thank my parents for their constant love and support, both emotional and financial. Without them I simply would not or could not have finished. One day I'll find an adequate way to express my heartfelt gratitude. My brother has also supported me more than he'll ever know. Whether thrashing out issues related to my research or relaxing over a pint or three, I'm so thankful to him for his help and encouragement. Finally, Tom. Thank you for your constant love. You made me feel so secure through what was at times a lonely experience. You kept me smiling and laughing and I love you for that. Thank you for being the person you are and for being mine. I'm looking forward to our future together. Contents Summary of Dissertation 1 Abbreviations 111 Interviewees IV Chapter One - The Conservative Party, the Nation and National Identity 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Nationhood and National identity 2 1.3 The Conservative Party 9 1.4 The Historic Significance of the Nation and National 15 Identity to the Conservative Party 1.5 Conclusion 29 1.6 Chapter Outlines 30 Chapter Two - The Conservative Party and Britain, 1997 2.1 Introduction 35 2.2 John Major, Nationhood and National Identity 36 2.3 The State of the Conservative Party after the June 1997 General Election 51 2.4 Conclusion 64 Chapter Three - The Conservative Nation, 1997-2001 3.1 Introduction 65 3.2 The Traditionalists 68 3.3 The Modernisers 73 3.4 Hague's Conservative Nation 79 3.5 Conclusion 89 Chapter Four - Nationhood and Strategy, June 1997 - June 1999 European Elections 4.1 Introduction 93 4.2 Early Strategy 98 4.3 Fresh Future 108 4.4 Devolution Policy 115 4.5 Conclusion 131 Chapter Five - Nationhood and Strategy, June 1997- June 1999 European Elections, Part II 5.1 Introduction 134 5.2 European Policy 135 5.3 Kitchen Table Conservatism 155 5.4 Conclusion 171 Chapter Six - Nationhood and Strategy, June 1999 European Elections - 2001 General Election 6.1 Introduction 175 6.2 Race Relations 176 6.3 The Common Sense Revolution 208 6.4 Conclusion 221 Chapter Seven - Nationhood and Strategy, June 1999 European Elections - 2001 General Election, Part II 7.1 Introduction 223 7.2 European Policy 224 7.3 A Lack of Strategy 241 7.4 Conclusion 262 Chapter Eight - Conclusions 8.1 Introduction 266 8.2 Summary of Analysis 266 8.3 Hypotheses 281 Bibliography 286 Appendix I - Interview Biographies 299 Appendix II - Methodology 303 Summary of Dissertation This research is a detailed analysis of the Conservative Party leadership's understanding of British nationhood and national identity and its use of those concepts as part of its strategy during the 1997-2001 parliament. The evolution of Hague's strategy will be examined and both the leadership's conception of British nationhood and national identity and its utilisation of those concepts as part of its strategy will be analysed. Why did Hague use those concepts and why did he believe an appeal to the electorate's sense of national identity was an important part of his overall strategy? Was the leadership united in its understanding of nationhood and national identity and in agreement as to the role that those concepts should play within the party's strategy? Did the strategic role played by those concepts change during the parliament? Why did those concepts fail to adapt the party to being in Opposition and enable it to maximise its electoral support? Amongst the most important findings is that when conceptualising national identity, the leadership can be split into two groups, modernisers and traditionalists and both believed they were appealing to the majority of British people. As the 2001 General Election approached, Hague abandoned a long-term modernising approach to party renewal and emphasised policies which he believed would shore up the party's core support base, whilst also broadening its support. The politics of nationhood were central to this traditionalist approach. The issues that Hague emphasised were not salient and succeeded only in deepening, not broadening, the party's support. Hypotheses During the 1997-2001 parliament: • The concepts of British nationhood and British national identity were understood differently within the party leadership. • The Conservative Party employed the concepts of British nationhood and British national identity within its strategy to adapt to being in Opposition and to maximise its electoral support. • The Conservative Party's strategy and its use of the concepts of British nationhood and British national identity within that strategy, failed to maximise electoral support. • The party leadership was not in agreement as to the optimum vote-maximising strategy available to it. .. 11 Abbreviations CRE Commission for Racial Equality CSR Common Sense Revolution ERM Exchange Rate Mechanism EMU European Monetary Union EU European Union CCO Conservative Central Office CBI Confederation of British Industry CMO Conceding and Moving On CPS Centre for Policy Studies CV Core Vote CVP Core Vote Plus JIL Junior Imperial League KTC Kitchen Table Conservatism NHS National Health Service SEA Single European Act SMF Social Market Foundation TCS Time for Common Sense TORCHE Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality QMV Qualified Majority Voting 11l Interviewees Unless otherwise stated, all interviews were conducted face-to-face , were recorded by. Dictaphone and were 'on-the-record'. Ancram QC MP, The Rt Hon Michael House of Commons, 14.01.2004 Body, Sir Richard conducted by telephone, 19.01.2004 Cooper, Andrew Malmaison Hotel, London, 17.02.2004 Finkelstein, Danny Times House, 19.04.2004 Fowler, The Rt Hon The Lord House of Lords, 29.03.2004 Gamier QC MP, Edward House of Commons, 04.12.2003 Gooderham, Malcolm Weber Shandwick HQ, London, 26.02.2004 Hague MP, William The Rt Hon Portcullis House, 14.01.2004 Hannan MEP, Daniel European Parliament London Office, 12.05.2004 Heathcoat-Amory MP, The Rt Hon House of Commons, 02.12.2003 Hendry MP, Charles House of Commons, 11.12.2003 Henley, The Lord House of Lords, 03.12.2003 Johnson MP, Boris Private address, 23.01.2004 Lansley OBE MP, Andrew (anon) Portcullis House, 20.04.2004 Lilley MP, The Rt Hon Peter House of Commons, 03.12.2003 Massow, Ivan Private address, 03.02.2004 Norman MP, Archie Portcullis House, 09.12.2003 Nye, Rick Malmaison Hotel, London, 17.02.2004 Osborne MP, George House of Commons, 04.12.2003 Spicer MP, Sir Michael House of Commons, 02.12.2003 1\ Strathclyde, The Rt Hon The Lord House of Lords, 10.l2.2003 Taylor of Warwick, The Lord House of Lords, 20.01.2004 Tebbit CH, The Rt Hon The Lord House of Lords, 27.01.2004 Townend, John Willerby Manor Hotel, Hull, 18.12.2003 Wood, Nick (anon) Atrium restaurant, 4 Millbank, 05.04.2004 Woodward MP, Shaun Portcullis House, 13.01.2004 Chapter One The Conservative Party, the Nation and National Identity 1.1 Introduction The focus of this research is William Hague's leadership of the Conservative Party throughout the 1997-2001 parliament and the utilisation of British nationhood and British national identity as part of the party's electoral strategy under his leadership.l This chapter introduces the concepts of nationhood and national identity by exploring the literature surrounding them and by establishing definitions for their use within the thesis.