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Home , Ayub Khan Din, Damian Green, Gladstone (cat), John Redwood, Mark Reckless, Paul Uppal

mp on whether the European argues that Great Britain The Union has changed Britain is a nation in decline Progressive Conscience

From Global Empire to the Global Race: modern Britishness

mp | professor tim bale | mep | mp Contents

03 Editor’s introduction 18 Daniel Hannan: To define Contributors James Brenton Britain, look to its institutions prof tim bale holds the Chair James Brenton politics in Politics at Queen Mary 20 Is Britain still Great? University of 04 Director’s note james brenton is the editor of Peter Hitchens and Ryan Shorthouse Ryan Shorthouse The Progressive Conscience 23 Painting a picture of Britain nick cater is Director of 05 Why I’m a Bright Blue MP the Menzies Research Centre Alan Davey George Freeman MP in Australia 24 What’s the problem with stephen crabb mp is Secretary 06 Replastering the cracks in the North of State for promoting British values? Professor Tim Bale ross cypher-burley was Michael Hand Spokesman to the British 07 Time for an English parliament Embassy in Tel Aviv 25 Multiple loyalties are easy John Redwood MP alan davey is the departing Damian Green MP Arts Council Chief Executive 08 Britain after the referendum will emkes is a writer 26 Influence in the Middle East Rupert Myers george freeman mp is the Ross Cypher-Burley Minister for Life Sciences 09 Patriotism and Wales dr robert ford lectures at 27 Winning friends in India Stephen Crabb MP the University of Emran Mian damian green mp is the 10 Unionism in a time of devolution Chairman of European 28 Different down under? Michael Kenny Mainstream Nick Cater prof michael hand is 11 London and Britain: Professor of Philosophy, 29 The Commonwealth vs the EU necessary partners University Austen Saunders Alexandra Jones daniel hannan mep is a columnist and author books and arts 12 Reclaiming Britishness peter hitchens isa columnist from the Far-Right 30 Inequality and the 1% for alexandra jones is the CEO Vidhya Ramalingham by Danny Dorling of Centre for Cities 13 The great generational divide Will Emkes sunder katwala is Director of British Future Dr Robert Ford 31 How to be conservative michael kenny is an Associate by Fellow at IPPR culture Austen Saunders alexander king is a Research 15 What Britain means to me Assistant at Bright Blue 32 East is East by Ayub Khan-Din emran mian is the Director of Paul Uppal MP Meera Sonecha the Social Market Foundation 16 Them and us no more david kirkby is a researcher for 33 Turner, Kiefer, Ai Wei Wei Bright Blue Sunder Katwala Alexander King rupert myers is a barrister 17 The Bright Blue dictionary and writer vidhya ramalingam of Britishness is Research and Policy Manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue john redwood mp is the Bright Blue Director: Ryan Shorthouse Chairman of the Conservative Chair: Matthew d’Ancona Economic Affairs Committee Bright Blue is an independent Board of Directors: Rachel Johnson, Alexandra Jezeph, austen saunders is a think tank and pressure group Diane Banks, Phil Clarke researcher at Bright Blue for liberal . ryan shorthouse is the [email protected] Director of Bright Blue www.brightblue.org.uk meera sonecha is assistant Editor: James Brenton editor of The Progressive Assistant Editor: Meera Sonecha Conscience Printed by: PPC, www.ppcbristol.co.uk paul uppal mp is on the No 10 Designed by: Soapbox, www.soapbox.co.uk Policy Board

2 | The Progressive Conscience Editor’s introduction Britishness may be hard to define, but it includes certain james brenton is the editor traits that keep cropping up of The Progressive Conscience

If you were to search for the adjective that occurs most fre- barrister Rupert Myers (Page 8) explains in his assessment quently throughout this edition of The Progressive Con- of post-referendum Britain, and John Redwood MP (Page 7) science, with its focus on British Identity, it’s likely that the is emphatic that the time has come for an English parliament. result would be one of either “tolerant”, “open-minded” or Britishness and the idea of the Commonwealth also maintain “accepting.” In exploring the contours of “Britishness,” these their influence around the world:Emran Mian of the Social are the words of description or aspiration our contributors Market Foundation describes Britain’s current relationship most often turn to. The best illustration of these values that with India, while Nick Cater of Australia’s Menzies Research I’ve yet seen is the fact that, in the course of working with so Centre tells us why the campaign for a republican Australia many different contributors, not once did any of them sug- was doomed to fail. gest it was odd that the editor of the magazine was himself Of course, not everyone believes that the future for obviously not British. It may be best ascribed to British tact Britain is rosy. In a recent interview, Daniel Hannan MEP that nobody suggested that I might not be the ideal candidate, (Page 18) told me of his concern about the negative impact but many of our contributions seem to suggest that it’s partly that he believes membership is having on because “Britishness” is an inherently inclusive idea. British culture. Meanwhile, in a fascinating letter exchange with our Director, Ryan Shorthouse, journalist There’s nothing in the world less British than Peter Hitchens (Page 20) expresses some pessimism about the future of the nation, culturally and economically. With claiming to know the exact nature of further contributions from Alan Davey, Chief Executive of Britishness Arts Council England, (Page 23) on the role of the arts in British culture, Sunder Katwala (Page 16) of British Future on the subject of immigration and Professor Michael Hand Since moving to London several years ago, I can’t recall (Page 24) on teaching British values, there are enough different ever feeling disadvantaged for being an outsider – immigration perspectives to allow readers to form their own assessment of queues at Heathrow being a possible exception. This is similar the state of modern Britain. to the experience of Paul Uppal MP (Page 15) who explains For a bit of intellectual exercise, we asked each of our how Britain has steadily grown into a more accepting place contributors to suggest succinct definitions of “Britishness” for his children than he recalls as a youth. Several contributors for a separate section of the magazine (see the results on describe how Britain has also grown more confident in its Page 17). As we should have expected, the majority ducked self-image, with Damian Green MP describing how Britain’s the question. Perhaps this is because there’s nothing in the membership in the European Union creates no issues of world less British than claiming to know the exact nature of divided loyalty for him, while other contributors tell us that Britishness. While it may not be possible to condense such an Wales (Stephen Crabb MP, Page 9) and London (Alexandra idea into a ten-word definition, we hope that our readers will Jones, Page 11) remain inseparable parts of Britain. That find in these pages a better sense of how contemporary Britain does not mean that the union is static, as the writer and sees itself.

Winter 2014 | 3 POLITICS

DIRECTOR’S NOTE Ryan Shorthouse on celebrating an inclusive and inspiring Britishness

Many of them have now decided to fly are essential if Britain is ever going ryan shorthouse is the Director of Bright Blue to Iraq and Syria to join the brutal and to be comfortable with being part of hellish ISIS. the club. Third, ’s devolution Nationalism has a bad reputation, From time to time, our political of powers to different countries thanks to the World Wars in the leaders talk about the need to within the – though twentieth century and, here in modern identify and defend British values it was the right thing to do – has Britain, its association with the far right. and Britishness. enabled separatists to grow stronger, But thinkers from across the political did so in a particularly in Scotland. Hence spectrum – from the communitarian speech in 2007 to the Fabian Society, the recent referendum on Scottish Professor Michael Sandel to the subsequently commissioning a new independence, which the unionists conservative Professor Roger Scruton book of essays on Britishness that won more narrowly than they first – are increasingly recognising the was edited by Bright Blue’s new chair, assumed they would. The recent Smith importance of the nation-state and an Matthew d’Ancona. Recently, the Commission promises sweeping new inclusive nationalism for mitigating former Education Secretary, Michael powers for Scotland. But it will not social and especially religious division, Gove, asked all schools to teach British be enough to satisfy the increasingly helping to build alternative sentiments values after Operation Trojan Horse in popular SNP; they have not given up to excessive which is Birmingham, where some individuals on independence yet. Unionists will on the rise in modern societies, and tried to take over several state schools have to work hard to convince those building crucial public institutions that and teach an Islamist ethos. north of the border that being British support the vulnerable. This political focus in recent decades is worth it. So flying the national flag need on carving a distinct and positive not be surprising, as the Labour MP British identity, which has attracted Thinkers from across the Emily Thornberry thought it was when cross-party support, has been driven canvassing in Rochester. National pride by several trends. First, increased political spectrum are ought to be much more commonplace. immigration – especially since the 1990s increasingly recognising the Positive nationalistic feelings among – has led to growing public concern that importance of the nation-state the British public are simmering. They some ethnic groups are not integrating surface during major sporting events sufficiently with other Britons, thus and an inclusive nationalism or during celebrations relating to the generating social tension and anxieties. for mitigating social and Monarchy. And, as British Future have Related to this is a second trend: shown, it is ethnic minority groups since 9/11, there has been deep worry especially religious division who are often more likely to be proud about the emergence and extremism of to be British. Islamists here in Britain, who promote Finally, the European Union – Politicians are right to keep a political ideology that loathes and, a project that seeks “ever closer union” talking about Britishness. Our in some instances, seeks to terrorise between member states – has extensive nationalism can be uniting and Western civilisation, which Britain is powers over Britain’s laws, triggering inspiring, celebrating Britain’s unique obviously a central part of. As Munira frustration among parliamentarians and institutions and a culture of open- Mirza, now Deputy Mayor of London, the public that Britain’s identity and mindedness and industriousness. highlighted in a 2007 power is being diluted. There is a desire This is a great country: hundreds and report she co-authored entitled Living for Britain to re-assert greater control thousands of people travel miles each apart together, the real worry is a on key policy areas: immigration and year to try and come live here. Millions minority of younger Muslims who justice, most notably. Renegotiation of, more have died for it. We can be are increasingly attracted to Islamism. and a referendum on, EU membership proud of Great Britain.

4 | The Progressive Conscience POLITICS

COLUMNISTS WHY I’M A BRIGHT This issue, George Freeman MP tells us why he’s BLUE MP a Bright Blue parliamentary supporter

Seen through this lens, it quickly The world faces huge structural george freeman is the MP for Mid Norfolk, Minister for Life becomes apparent that economic challenges in the decades to come: in Sciences and co-founder of the modernisation is not just a potential health, welfare, pensions and credit- 2020 Group of Conservatives election strategy, but a geopolitical addicted economies. Indeed, the necessity. I think it is no exaggeration challenges of the twenty-first century recently held a debate to say that the financial crisis signaled will be first and foremost economic. pitting against the death-throes of the post-war As the West slowly begins to lose , trad versus mod, the model of growth, fuelled by ever- absolute dominance in the race for Conservative party a house divided bigger Government and blind to the resources, the global race for food, against itself. Indeed, it seems to be challenges from the emerging world. It energy and medicine will intensify, received wisdom that our future is a was a historic wake up call for the UK something I spend my days tackling divided one, a repeat of Labour in the economy. The Brownite con – fuelling as the first ever Minister for Life eighties. But I profoundly disagree. a false boom through the steroids of Sciences at the Department of Business, I am a Bright Blue MP because I debt and a wave of cheap migrant Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the believe the most successful political labour – was the last gasp of a broken Department of Health. party in history can draw on the best economic model. As Bright Blue has pointed out, the instincts of our liberal and conservative Right always has to be reminded that families and build a Progressive The most successful party the Left doesn’t have the monopoly Alliance for our generation which is on optimism. Punching the Labour relevant to the profound challenges can draw on our liberal and bruise on debt will be a vital element of we face, a new Gladstonian vision of conservative families a successful election strategy for 2015. reform. Indeed, as a great great great But creating an Innovation Economy nephew of the Grand Old Man, I can’t and Opportunity Society based on help but agree with , It called first for a rescue, helping increased social mobility, productivity who once said: “I would not mind retain the confidence of the bond and competitiveness is the only way to betting that if Mr. Gladstone were markets. But it also called for a new put money in people’s pockets and drive alive today he would apply to join vision for the economy. Now, in the a really sustainable recovery, one of the the Conservative Party.” light of the worst financial crisis in a central missions behind the 2020 Group This means the Modernisation century and the certainty of further of Conservatives I co-founded in 2010. 2.0. Bright Blue has so eloquently set fiscal crises in decades to come, we can As the Prime Minister set out in out. I believe the ongoing economic show in 2015 how our rescue operation his once-in-a-generation conference crisis of debt, structural deficits, cost has moved to a truly modernising view speech in September, it is only the of living and social mobility can still of a more innovative British economy Conservatives who have a vision for be our opportunity for a much more fuelling a more mobile British society. what Britain can look like in 2020 and profound and unifying modernisation Progressive economic modernisation beyond. An economy based on scientific and renewal that unites social liberals insists that you can have both discovery, innovation across the public with social conservatives around a new innovation in economics and a politics and private sectors, world-beating Progressive Alliance. As well as the of belonging – economic wings and infrastructure and a global outlook. divisions over issues like gay , social roots, in ’ terms, It is both modernising and optimistic. we have seen examples of how all wings the two great strands of Conservative I am a Bright Blue MP because of the party can unite around the most thought – brought together, tackling I believe, as the Prime Minister progressive measure of this Parliament: the “hollowing out” of the British highlighted, that all wings of the taking the lowest-paid out of income economy and society of which the Conservative Party can unite around tax – achieving progressive ends Prime Minister spoke so powerfully a Progressive Politics which delivers through conservative means. in his leadership campaign. #GrowthForAll in 2015.

Winter 2014 | 5 POLITICS

Re-plastering the cracks in the North Professor Tim Bale explains how the need to start focussing on the North, and how electoral reform may be necessary

tim bale teaches politics at So what’s the solution? Some comfortable) overall majority unless Queen Mary University of would say there isn’t one. Just as some they up their game (and their gains) in London and is the author and editor of three books on the businesses have to admit they’ve been the north. Conservative Party beaten out of a particular market or are The problem is that doing something simply unable, despite their best efforts, about all this requires a long-term per- Quite what Lord Howell meant when to enter it, perhaps the Conservatives spective from a bunch of people with he called the north – or at least the should just cut their losses, forget all short attention spans and even shorter eastern half of it – “desolate”, we can’t about what looks like a fool’s errand, time-horizons. Unless the party realises be altogether sure. But if he’d been and concentrate instead on sweating it will take as long to unwind what’s referring to a land largely denuded of their considerable electoral assets in happened as it did to create the mess in representation many would have the South? the first place, then all the initiatives it agreed with him. tries – and there have been many over Yet there are, lest we forget, Conserv- The Conservatives are going the years – will come to naught. ative MPs who win seats there – some Of the recent suggestions on how of them very big beasts indeed, William to find it very difficult to win to improve matters, there are at least Hague and being the a convincing (or at least a couple which may actually make a stand-out examples. Their presence, and comfortable) overall majority difference. One is George Osborne’s the characteristics of their constituen- attempt to show he cares by talking cies, highlight the fact that the primary unless they up their game about improving transport links: easy problem for the Tories in the north isn’t (and their gains) in the north to sneer at but I suspect it stands at least so much one of longitude and latitude as a chance of beginning to thaw attitudes a failure to persuade people who live in – as long, that is, as he eventually puts its urban conurbations to even consider That may be tempting but it would his money where his mouth is. voting Conservative. be a bad idea, and not just because it The other is more daring but is, The party suffers from an even more would undermine the party’s claim to I think, a nettle that simply has to be severe “neighbourhood effect” in the represent the whole of the country. grasped. The party should embrace north than Labour does in the south. For one thing, what happened to the electoral reform – at least for local In other words, even those people party in Scotland should serve as a dire elections. People aren’t stupid. They whose lifestyle, education and income warning to those who think that, even if understand that right now a vote for the would, if they lived south of London things are unlikely to get better for the Tories in many areas is a complete waste (or even Birmingham), very likely see Tories in the north, they probably can’t of time, so they simply don’t bother. them voting Conservative are much get any worse. Well, they can and they Give them at least a slither of hope by less likely to do so if they live instead will – unless something is done and introducing, say, the Single Transferable in, say, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield done soon. Vote, and they may gradually begin to or Liverpool. Although Labour’s difficulties in the feel they can make a difference. Once The problem is just as bad in local as South are serious, it can nevertheless Tories can get elected in northern it is in parliamentary elections. It also win elections – as it showed in 2005 cities at a local level, then it raises the affects not only people’s propensity – without picking up many seats in possibility that they can get elected to to vote Tory but their enthusiasm the home and coastal counties of the parliament too – even if only in the (or, more accurately, their lack of South-East, primarily because there more affluent, suburban constituencies enthusiasm) for joining the party at are plenty of Midlands marginals and they used to represent. the grassroots – one reason why the because it has a lock on large parts of All this will be a long, thankless, but Conservative Party on the ground London. The Conservatives, on the hopefully not fruitless, task. Better start is, in large parts of the urban north, other hand, are going to find it very sooner rather than later – because later utterly moribund. difficult to win a convincing (or at least may be too late.

6 | The Progressive Conscience POLITICS

Time for an English parliament John Redwood MP on why we need English Votes for English Laws, mirroring the Edinburgh model

Today the Westminster Parliament through the Union Parliament. This john redwood is the MP for Wokingham and Chairman wishes to honour the pledges of the could be done as soon as Parliament of the Conservative Economic three main party leaders that more assembles. Scottish MPs at Westminster Affairs Committee powers should be transferred to could agree not to vote on English Scotland. This will include the right to matters. We could pass a change to When I asked who speaks for England decide how much income tax to levy. Standing Orders stopping MPs voting in the Commons, I was asking about The passage of such a fundamental on devolved matters if they come from an injustice that has persisted since power to the means a part of the country where such a devolution was given to Scotland at the the problem of England (and of Wales matter has been devolved. This would end of the last century. and ) has to be settled deal with the immediate injustice. Labour’s “settlement” for the at the same time. English voters will not It will also mean, of course, that country was to give first class devolu- accept the idea that Scottish Parlia- Ministers in English departments like tion to Scotland, second class to Wales mentarians in Edinburgh will decide Education and Health will need to com- and Northern Ireland, and nothing to the Scottish income tax rate, whilst mand the majority of English MPs. In England. It was never stable. The Scots Scottish members of the UK Parliament those rare Parliaments where a different decided to use their new Parliament will help settle England’s income tax party has a majority in England from to campaign for more powers and for rate. Imagine the sense of injustice if the one with a majority in the Union independence, culminating in a referen- a majority in the Union Parliament as a whole, this will mean Ministers dum on whether they should leave the pushed a higher rate of income tax onto of different parties. It will be similar union altogether. England just had to England when the majority of English to Scotland, where a SNP government watch, with no vote and no voice on the MPs in the Westminster Parliament in Edinburgh has to work alongside future of our once united country. wanted a lower rate. Today’s sense of a Labour or Coalition government When a Labour MP asked how it unfairness in England over Scotland in Westminster. could be fair that Scottish MPs could having no tuition fees for university People ask how will we define an come to Westminster to speak and vote and a better deal on care for the elderly English issue? That is simple. It will be on English health, English schools and would be magnified by differential defined by what is a Scottish issue. This English criminal justice, but could not tax rates. is already defined, and such matters speak or vote on those matters for their pass naturally to Edinburgh to handle. own constituents, there was no answer. People ask how will we define Some say you could not have Labour tried to answer this devastating different parties controlling Union “West Lothian” question by offering an English issue? That is departments and English departments. devolution to English regions. They simple. It will be defined by Why ever not? Again, it works in gave the people of the North East a what is a Scottish issue. This Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales referendum on of a at the moment. devolved government for themselves. is already defined, and such It is time to speak for England. They chose the North East as an area matters pass naturally to As we willingly give more powers to of traditionally very strong Labour Scotland, so we must willingly do the support, well away from London with a Edinburgh to handle same for England. Devolution to reputation for independence. They lost smaller parts of England is not the the vote 4 to 1 against. Regional govern- I propose that the Westminster answer. It has been rejected before. ment was dead, as it was probably even Parliament moves immediately to England will want a single rate of more unpopular elsewhere. Liverpool English votes for English issues. Wales income tax, which may or may not be has no more wish to be governed and Northern Ireland also need to say the same as the one Scotland chooses. from Manchester than Sunderland has if they want full devolution to their Someone needs to speak and decide from Newcastle. Assemblies or some other arrangement for England.

Winter 2014 | 7 POLITICS

Britain after the referendum Does the United Kingdom need constitutional reform? Rupert Myers investigates

rupert myers is a barrister not compelled by the cause and effect upper chamber to replace what is now and writer who writes for a mentality with which those involved in the second largest legislative assembly wide range of UK publications politics often approach the psychology in world after the Chinese National on politics and society of the ballot box. People’s Congress, over-filled as it is Populist parties provide an answer with hereditary peers and party donors, In a recent debate on the union, one of to the feeling many have that their vote might be part of how we restore the my fellow panelists spoke of the large does not matter. By turning the vote “cause and effect” of voting, or it might number of “Yes” voters who had voted into a broader act of political expres- lead to US-style gridlock. “regardless of the practical outcome.” sion, parties with distinct messages, The Scottish Referendum reminds us During the campaign itself, I became from environmentalism to just being on that the law of unintended consequences convinced that there is an aspect to the side of the working class provide a applies treacherously to constitutional human nature that means that if a reason to go out on election day. In the tinkering. Devolution wasn’t intended group of people are taken to the top of post-referendum political landscape, to produce a strong SNP government a cliff and told that in two years they there seems to be ever-growing capable of taking Scotland to the brink will hold a referendum on whether to unease with the main political parties, of independence. It is unclear how the jump off, debate will eventually break hampered as they are by the rise of current government’s proposed Bill of out. They would begin with consensus, separate political movements within the Rights will apply outside of England but the press, bored of reporting the UK’s constituent parts. & Wales, with the Scottish set to stick same story about it being “madness” to with the Europeans in the event that jump would seek out voices of dissent. The bias inherent in the way is considered incompatible with Opportunists would forge lucrative ECHR membership. Whilst parties careers from their columns as contrarian boundaries are currently hone arguments and select messengers pro-jump activists, and eventually some drawn should be removed capable of meeting the rise of populist section of the population would grow politics, the longer project of constitu- sick of “experts” telling them what sort tional reform to the United Kingdom of a fall they can and cannot survive. For the main Westminster parties, needs thoughtful consideration. A It isn’t for elites to determine our fate, the easier challenge is to meet the Royal Commission into whether the some would say, and you know what? difficulty of forging an emotional – UK now needs a written constitution They reckon they could make it. Come perhaps even tribal – reason to vote by would focus minds on a whole series of the vote, there would be some who ensuring that the both the messages reforms currently being floated. would cast their ballot “regardless of the and the political messengers themselves It cannot be left to political parties practical outcome.” resonate with the electorate. The harder to campaign piecemeal on their own The danger for the United Kingdom challenge is to evolve the political preferred political reforms, or our is that the outcome of the Scottish framework to ensure that voters in all constitutional arrangement will grow referendum hasn’t been the dissipation parts of the UK see their vote working increasingly more camel-like in of a populism untroubled by prosaic for them in a fair and transparent appearance. When it comes to the economic and political reality, but the system. The bias inherent in the way changes being proposed, it is not just growth of it. In Rochester and Strood, boundaries are currently drawn should the voters, but the politicians proposing UKIP proudly displayed billboards be removed. From English votes for them who need to have serious regard assuring voters that only Mark Reckless English laws (EVEL) to an elected to the practical outcomes, which have could solve the traffic problem, Senate, there are a host of modifications in the past proved themselves to be suddenly empowered by leaving the to be considered. I expect that Liberal surprising. The future of the UK must party in government to join a group Democrats go to bed and dream of little therefore include slow, steady, cautious with – at the time of writing – one MP. else besides new ways to alter the UK reform of our constitutional This doesn’t matter to some voters, constitutional arrangement. An elected arrangement.

8 | The Progressive Conscience POLITICS

Patriotism and Wales Being Welsh goes hand in hand with being British. Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire and Secretary of State for Wales, explains why

stephen crabb is the MP Cymru politicians may say and do to provides employment to thousands of for his home constituency of suggest otherwise. Welsh and English people, is part of a Preseli Pembrokeshire and The fact is that this dual identity highly integrated economic sub-region Secretary of State for Wales – which comes so naturally to many which straddles North West England Welsh people – is perfectly consistent and North East Wales. On the factory During the weekend of the Diamond with the very essence of what Britain is. floor at Toyota, where Welsh and Jubilee celebrations in 2012 a radio Britain is a family of individual English engineers work side-by-side, phone-in programme in Wales invited nations – proud in their own cultural there is plenty of national pride and listeners to comment on whether and social distinctions – brought competitiveness on display – but also they were surprised to see so many together by virtue of sharing the same huge pride in the British manufac- Union Jacks on display outside islands for a thousand years, during turing success story this plant helps Welsh homes. which time conflict and struggle were to represent. All across Wales the British flag replaced by cooperation and common Not without risks, and in Wales was flying proud, very often alongside cause. In an era when the modern we started out on this road very the red dragon. It seemed remarkable European nation states were being cautiously, devolution has given to some that such a comfortable born, Britain came together to form the political expression to this dual national expression of dual national pride most successful political and economic identity. If done properly, devolution could spontaneously be awakened union the world has ever seen. had the potential to offer the best of in Wales in 2012 – even after more As one of the core of ancient celtic both worlds – satisfying the aspiration than a decade of devolution and the nations, Wales lays claim to some of for a greater voice and control over each ‘nation-building’ project. the earliest roots of what Britain was nation’s own affairs but offering also For people outside the narrow and what Britain became. In fact the the security and strength that comes Welsh commentariat, the only thing very idea of Britain belongs as much from being inside a strong political and remarkable about this debate was that to the people of Scotland and Wales economic union. it was happening at all. as it does to the people of England Far from serving as a platform for For most people in Wales – so with whom it is more often associated. a stronger and more strident Welsh passionate and vocal about their Without either Wales or Scotland, nationalism, as so many of us feared Welsh national and cultural identity Britain becomes a hollowed-out and fifteen years ago, devolution has – there is no tension or discomfort meaningless concept. actually dampened this tendency within at all with also feeling totally Beyond these deep cultural and Welsh politics. The most recent opinion relaxed about being British. And at historical antecedents, there are all poll in Wales suggests that a record low key moments that British identity the practical day-to-day factors of of just 3% of Welsh people want to see surfaces without prompting. economic and social life that continue an independent Wales. In 2013 when Sam Warburton, to bring the people of Wales and But it would be a mistake to the dynamic Welsh rugby captain England closer together rather than interpret this as a signal that Welsh (and also captain of the British & act as a wedge of division. voters are ambivalent about the identity Irish Lions), told an interviewer Half of the Welsh population of the parties and politicians they vote that on the Lions tour to Australia live within twenty five miles of the for. It has never been more important he would describe his nationality as border between Wales and England. for the parties to have a specific Welsh British, he sparked a political row. When it comes to daily patterns of identity to help demonstrate commit- One Welsh nationalist MP said it work and leisure and usage of public ment to Wales and empathy with Welsh was a disgrace for a Welsh captain to services the border becomes, for many aspirations and needs. For those utter such a thing. Fortunately such people, meaningless. looking to understand the Welsh mean-spirited attitudes are rare among The vast Deeside Industrial Estate Conservative renaissance since 1997, the people of Wales whatever Plaid in Flintshire, for example, which this is a vital starting point.

Winter 2014 | 9 POLITICS

Unionism in a time of devolution Rethinking Britishness and Englishness. By Michael Kenny

michael kenny is an Associate inadequacy of this attitude. And there Englishness is rising, but Britain and Fellow at the IPPR, and the is no reason to think that Englishness Britishness have not gone away. And author of The Politics of English Nationhood (Oxford could not be shaped and developed in the question of what kind of common University Press, 2014) a similar manner. Evidence suggests identity and shared sentiments are that more people from a diversity of going to unite us across our national Britishness was one of the major themes social and ethnic backgrounds are differences is more important than of the politics of the New Labour inclined to feel patriotically proud ever. Yet it raises real difficulties for governments – from “Cool Britannia” about England as the place to which the two main political parties. Labour’s to the Dome through to the efforts of they belong, while my own research formerly expansive and confident sense Gordon Brown to champion a civic, highlights the variety of different of civic Britishness has shrunk back to multi-cultural British patriotism. Under political ideas with which Englishness a defence of the values associated with the Coalition Britishness has been has become associated. the UK-wide welfare state which it enunciated in a lower key, but it has thinks remains a vulnerable issue for resurfaced in the wake of the “Trojan More and more of the the Conservatives. But while the NHS Horse” affair. remains a focus of popular affection, What is most striking about this English have begun to this stance is hardly likely to underpin continuity of national discourse in high identity with, and find the kind of ambitious, patriotic story politics is how out of kilter it is with meaning in, the imagined which once thought would the shifting dynamics and patterns allow him to reach across different of national identity which have been national community electoral constituencies. gathering pace in Scotland and Wales, of England And the Conservatives are now but also in England. In the case of the going to have to face the challenge of largest national community within the articulating a new kind of unionism in UK, there has been a major shift in the At the same time, it is also clear the light of their commitment to a fairly terms and focus of national conscious- that English and British traditions and radical form of income tax devolution ness since the early 1990s. More and identities are indissolubly interwoven. in Scotland and their growing interest more of the English have begun to This is a consequence of the manner in “owning” the question of English identity with, and find meaning in, in which the English have submerged devolution. How the party can speak the imagined national community themselves since the eighteenth to and for Britain when it appears more of England. century in a state-focused sense of and more rooted in the experiences But while cultural practitioners, British patriotism which served both and outlooks of southern England is a ordinary people and a growing to incorporate and obscure the English major challenge – of both an existential number of commentators have been cultural lineage. But the latter has never and electoral kind. magnetically drawn to the practices and disappeared entirely, surfacing again The imperative to reboot Britishness symbolism of England, these gathering and again in the last century through matters greatly in a situation where currents have found few echoes in the the arguments and ideas of figures as profound devolutionist dynamics are in language of mainstream politics. There, disparate as , John Bet- play and the question of what form of a fear of making concessions to narrow jeman and George Orwell – and most overarching patriotism can offer a nationalism and a pervasive worry recently in the work of Roger Scruton. commonality across the UK is pressing. about the illiberal, “ethnic” nature of Rather tellingly, a drive to distinguish Without some meaningful and popular Englishness continue to reign. a more conscious boundary between expression of shared purpose, social Yet neither of these attitudes holds what is English and what might be values, and cultural inheritance, the water. The predominantly civic caste British has been a notable feature of the underpinning which a looser of the nationalism that has prospered growing English self-consciousness of union would require could wither in Scotland is one illustration of the the last two decades. on the vine.

10 | The Progressive Conscience POLITICS

London and Britain: necessary partners Alexandra Jones tells us why London and the rest of the nation need each other

independence referendum, there may business contracts from the capital, jobs alexandra jones is the now be a realistic chance of achieving it. created by London-based businesses CEO of Centre for Cities The widening economic gap does and by London’s tax revenue surplus make it hard to get people to see how being distributed as public spending London’s growth benefits everyone. – although other cities pay a price in Tension between a dominant London In 1997, London and the south-east talented young people leaving for the and other parts of the UK goes back accounted for 35 per cent of the British capital. London’s success depends on centuries. William Cobbett, champion economy; it increased to 38 per cent by attracting business, people and money of rural England, wrote in his 1830 2012. And as our Cities Outlook 2014 from other parts of the country. work Rural Rides: “But, what is to be demonstrated, London accounted for The problem is not that London per- the fate of the great wen of all? The the vast majority of private sector job forms too well, but that other cities do monster, called, by the silly coxcombs creation between 2010 and 2012 as the not perform to their potential – which of the press, ‘the metropolis of country emerged from recession. is holding back the national economy. the empire?’” As the City Growth Commission Fast-forward a century, and in 1940, The widening economic gap chaired by former Goldman Sachs a report by the Royal Commission on economist Jim O’Neill noted, raising the Distribution of the Industrial Popu- does make it hard to get people output in the 14 largest “metros” or lation said: “London acts as a continual to see how London’s growth city regions outside London to the UK drain on the rest of the country both benefits everyone. In 1997, average could boost the economy by for industry and population, and much £79bn a year by 2030, or about 5 per evidence points to the fact that it is London and the south-east cent of gross domestic product. already too large.” accounted for 35 per cent of the London and other cities share one Debate about whether London’s big problem: a pitiful lack of powers global success is a boon for the whole British economy; it increased compared to their international coun- UK has become increasingly polarised to 38 per cent by 2012 terparts. The UK remains one of the since the financial crisis, blamed by most centralised developed countries many on the excesses of bankers in For people outside London, it can be in the world: in 2009 local government London and other centres. The capital’s difficult to see how or why they benefit raised just 17 per cent of its income economy got off relatively lightly in the from government’s big investments from local taxation compared with the recession and has recovered faster than there, such as Crossrail or Tech City. OECD average of 55 per cent, leaving most of the rest of the country. According to a recent YouGov poll cities with few levers to pull to meet Some complain that London sucks commissioned by Centre for Cities their specific requirements. the life out of the UK, while others say and Centre for London, 66 per cent of Sensibly, they are making common the rest of the nation is a drain on its adults outside London think the capital cause. Last autumn , buoyant capital. There is even wild talk has a positive impact on the national London’s mayor, joined forces with of London becoming an independent economy). But only 24 per cent think the Core Cities group of large cities “city state”. London has a positive effect on their outside the capital to press for control Such polarisation is unhealthy. local economy – which drops to single of the revenues from all property taxes, While the economic gap between Lon- figures in some northern cities such as such as stamp duty, council tax and don and other cities has been widening, Hull (8 per cent), Sheffield (8 per cent) business rates. they are dependent upon one another and Liverpool (9 per cent). Cities need to work together, fill far more than people appreciate. Both The truth is a stronger London does the leadership gap that the public need more power and better funding indeed benefit the economy. Cities perceives in national politics, and to thrive – and with heightened interest thrive through connections between demonstrate that local flexibility in UK devolution since Scotland’s them: those outside London benefit via can lead to better outcomes.

Winter 2014 | 11 POLITICS

Reclaiming Britishness from the Far-Right Vidhya Ramalingham tells us how we can create an inclusive Britishness

vidhya ramalingam is is that a shared British identity is most Political rhetoric and promotion of Research and Policy Manager clearly understood when defined in national celebrations alone will not be at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue – she oversees Far-Right the negative. In other words, it is much sufficient to build common ground. Extremism and Intolerance easier to identify signs of failure (e.g. Indeed, research following the Queen’s crime, anti-social behaviour, terrorism). Jubilee and the Olympics showed no A number of critical moments Research following the 2011 riots growth in public identification with have shifted the political and media indicated a sense of marginalisation Britishness as a result of the events. narratives on national identity in Britain among the rioters, with less than Identities are not simply constructed in the past few years. In 2014, the lifting half feeling “part of British society”, by political rhetoric, but by daily of EU labour market restrictions, the as compared with 92 percent of the experiences. Initiatives to reclaim and European Parliament elections, and the population as a whole. Research promote Britishness must be tailored Scottish referendum all raised hotly on motivations to join extremist around individual experiences and debated questions about the settlement movements has consistently shown involve active roles for people to shape of European migrants and about British that those who are most vulnerable to what Britishness means to them. identity. In addition, international these groups are often lacking a sense of Britishness can be most effectively conflicts and British foreign policy – belonging. There is thus a clear sense of reclaimed from the far right by from Gaza to Syria – have resonated what failure to identify with Britishness initiatives led at the local level – in local communities, and concerns looks like, but not success. from the bottom up. Local and regional surrounding the travel of British authorities can be instrumental in citizens to Syria and Iraq to fight for Initiatives to reclaim and building a city or regional sense of Islamic State have raised questions belonging which citizens can buy about the resilience of belonging in promote Britishness must be into precisely because it is tailored to Britain. Under the guise of nationalism tailored around individual their local experience. This will need the far right has been quick to pick on experiences, and involve active to begin with initiatives to rebuild the issues that divide Britain, rather and restore trust in local institutions. than those that unite the country. roles for people to shape what When people trust their local institu- Far-right movements, whether Britishness means to them tions they are more likely to feel that street-based or political, are particularly they belong and that they can influence adept at mobilising support during decisions locally. times of local or national trauma. One There has been a recent focus A shared sense of belonging is most need not look further than the English in Britain on citizenship tests and thrown into disorder during local or Defence League’s campaigns around ceremonies for new immigrants and national traumas, including riots, support for British troops following ethnic minorities focusing on British organised crime, and even far right the murder of drummer Lee Rigby in values and on loyalty to the nation. demonstrations. In places like Luton and Woolwich in May 2013; or the public National surveys have repeatedly Rochdale, local councils and police have demonstrations by across shown the characteristics the general piloted innovative methods of involving the country following the discovery of public believes constitute being “truly the community in dialogue and child grooming gangs. They find success British.” However, Britishness is mediation and promoting a sense of not only by rallying around what simply a word. Debates on what unity following divisive local events. Britishness is not, but around simplistic constitutes Britishness – and publicly Rapid response mechanisms at the local visions of what Britishness is – a mix reasserting the values underpinning level can ensure communities remain tied of poppies, Union Jacks, and quotes by British identity – can distract from together and not driven apart at such British heroes like Winston Churchill. what Britishness looks like in practice: times. Britishness will be best reclaimed The challenge for those seeking to shared values and common ground at the local level, where people can reclaim Britishness from the far right between citizens. experience Britishness in action.

12 | The Progressive Conscience POLITICS

The great generational divide Dr Robert Ford analyses the outlook of different generations and examines how this is affecting political parties

dr robert ford is Senior to the most fragmented and chaotic comfortable with diversity, accept high Lecturer in Politics in the election in recent British political immigration and reject interpretations School of Social Sciences at history. The surge in support for UKIP of Britishness which exclude the foreign the University of Manchester and the Greens are two very different born or non-Christian. The young expressions of the same fundamental want a Britain at the heart of Europe, These are turbulent times in British shift – the growing political importance supporting the EU, which they would politics – support for UKIP has been of the value differences which divide vote for by a two to one margin in surging for several years, with record the nation’s old and young. a referendum. breaking results in local and European Figure 1 shows how this genera- Britain’s pensioners are a world elections and a huge by-election win tional divide plays out across a range apart from their grandchildren on all of in Clacton, Rochester and Strood. of issues. Britain’s young have grown these issues. They grew up in a socially Now the Greens are on the rise as well, up in a diverse, secular, socially liberal homogenous country, where differences overtaking the Liberal Democrats and and outward looking society, and their in language, dress or religion were rare, threatening to add further confusion values reflect this. The under 35s are and where migrants were people who

Figure 1: Value divides between old and young

80% Under 35 Over 65

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% Immigration Would mind if Being born in Being Christian Homosexual Disagree EU should Would vote to should be close relative Britain “very “very important” relations with giving have less leave EU in reduced “a lot’ married a important” to to being truly “mostly” or gay/lesbian power than a referendum Muslim being truly British “always” wrong couples right nation- British to marry states

Source: British Social Attitudes Survey 2013

Winter 2014 | 13 POLITICS Source: xlfickrx

came from the next county, not the the rapid expansion of higher educa- now dominated by younger university other side of the world. They find the tion, the long running trends towards graduates who may differ on some dramatic shifts of the past fifty years secularism and found elements of the value divide (particu- unsettling, as the country they knew in most developed democracies, among larly the EU) but who tend to share the has transformed into something they others. It also has deep roots – many of socially liberal, outward looking world struggle to recognise or accept. These these divisions between young and old view of the rising young. older voters still hold to the traditional have been visible in social survey data UKIP have established themselves as sense of Britishness, one which does for decades. But three key changes have a major player in the political system by not easily accommodate newcomers mobilised it into the heart of politics. becoming the voice of the grey end in from abroad or differences in religion. Firstly, the traditional divides of this value divide. Almost all of UKIP’s British pensioners find ethnic and class and ideology which defined “left” positions – from immigration restric- religious difference unsettling and are and “right” in Britain have lost the tion to , from grammar much more ambivalent about gay rights force they once had. Politicians in all schools to law and order – reflect the (though most do support these). British the mainstream parties have converged world view of the grey voter. The pensioners, who grew up in a Britain on a consensus on the big issues of Greens and, to some extent, the SNP which looked to the Commonwealth free markets and public services, are looking to mobilise the other pole rather than to Brussels, are profoundly creating space for other arguments to into politics – cosmopolitan, Europhile, sceptical of the European Union – they move to the fore. Secondly, arguments pro-immigration, and liberal. want its powers reduced, and if this is over immigration and Europe have Both mainstream parties have strug- not possible, they want to leave. persisted for over a decade, eroding gled to respond to this new division The generational divide has many voters’ faith in the traditional parties’ because both have traditionally built sources including differences in social solutions to these problems. Thirdly, political coalitions across generations. and economic experiences growing up, the mainstream parties themselves are They are now hamstrung in trying >>

14 | The Progressive Conscience CULTURE

What Britain means to me Britishness is difficult to define as it is an evolving concept. Paul Uppal MP describes his experiences as a British Sikh

up in Smethwick – but none of this feared that when these migrants came paul uppal is the MP for Wolverhampton South West, hinders me from identifying myself to Britain these same nationalistic and is a member of the with this country or describing myself tendencies would continue. Number 10 Policy Board as British. Thankfully, in the main, these fears For me Britain is epitomised by have not come to fruition. I think What is Britain and what has it come the collaboration of communities at a positive consequence of Enoch to represent? For me British culture is a time of need. It happened to my Powell’s “Rivers of Blood” speech was not static, it never has been and never maternal grandfather in India and now to put the focus of multiculturalism will be. Our culture is forever evolving, I witness it here. I am especially proud on Wolverhampton and the West and it is important we embrace this. of how the trustees of the Sri Guru Teg Midlands in particular. Subsequently, We should remain a tolerant and Bahadur Ji Sikh temple in Wolverhamp- I feel all community groups have made respectful nation welcoming people ton donated £5,000 to the development a conscious effort to be involved in an from across the globe who will enrich of the atrium at Springdale Methodist exchange of shared values. I think the the culture of our beloved nation. Church and Community Centre. This reality today is that Wolverhampton If we see Britain through halcyon shows that it does not need Parliament can be held up as an example of British glasses we lose one of the best qualities to pass any laws to get people to multiculturalism at its best, with all of our nation – our culture and values support each other and in doing so to ethnic groups harmoniously co-operat- are forever evolving and we cannot stop celebrate their Britishness. ing under a group British identity. that progress, rather we should embrace After I was selected to fight The Britain that I know now, that it. Not to do so would be counterin- Wolverhampton, I spoke to Enoch’s which my children know, is different to tuitive – Britishness is not something widow Pam Powell about what drove the Britain that I grew up in during the we should be longing to return to but him to make his infamous speech at 70s. Routinely I was told on my helping to shape. the Midland Hotel – a speech that is journey to school that I should go The importance placed on our embedded into the fabric of British home. It soon dawned on me that multicultural society is part of what political discourse. Was it about power, “home” referred to the Indian Subcon- Britishness means to me. We have many was he raising his genuine concerns or tinent and not the terraced house a few people of different races, religions, and was he following Peter Griffiths who yards down the road. Equally perplex- nationalities living here, diversifying fought the Smethwick by-election some ing was the accusation that the lifestyle our nation. Whilst we have many 50 years earlier? My reading of it was I was leading was essentially foreign cultures living side by side, I believe we that he feared communalism after the and alien despite the fact it embraced have a very strong British culture that partition of India where families and many British values. Even against this is embraced by many. I am a product of communities were ripped apart. When backdrop of rejection, I’ve learnt to this successful multiculturalism, proud there is a perception of division in any take the best of both worlds, defining to have a forename of Christian origin community then that will be exploited. myself as British first and foremost and a surname of Sikh origin. I am a What he saw was Indian and Pakistani but intertwined with traditional Sikh, of East African descent, brought nationals pitted against each other. He Indian values.

>> to compete with the insurgents, as alienating the ethnically diverse, the Green challenge, but they any appeal to one side of the genera- cosmopolitan rising electorate who the know doing so could put at risk the tional divide risks alienating the other. party must win if it is to have a future many Labour seats, like Heywood A full throated Conservative appeal to fifteen years from now. Similarly, and Middleton, where the party UKIP voters may bring short term gain Labour may be tempted to embrace the relies on greying Old Labour voters but would be a long term disaster, cosmopolitan young agenda, and see off for victory.

Winter 2014 | 15 CULTURE

Them and us no more Sunder Katwala explains how we must stop seeing immigration through a “them” and “us” lens for it to work

of “them and us”. People may well prefer migrants to settle and become

sunder katwala is naturally respond “but what about us?” British than to return home after Director of British Future A more successful approach would ask a few years. instead “how do we make the ‘new Yet this shared sense of the “new us” us’ work”? should never be a question for migrants “There are too many of them.” The good news is that there is very or ethnic minority citizens alone. It “They’re taking our stuff.” “They’re broad agreement on the fair deal that has to be about all of us – and the not like us – and they don’t want to Britain should offer to migrants who responsibilities we share, as citizens, if be.” “We’re not even allowed to talk want to join the club. You don’t have we want a shared society, not a divided about it – or we get called racist”. to be born here to fully belong to one. If we want a democratic and The populist case against difference Britain. We can think of extraordinary liberal society, what legitimate demands – whether it is about immigration, examples, from Mo Farah to Prince does our common citizenship make ethnic minority citizens or Muslims Phillip. Many of us will think first of of us all? One weakness of post-war and minority faiths – revolves around one of millions of stories rather closer multiculturalism was that, although it this “them and us” narrative, linking to home, such as those of my mum and gave non-white Britons a strong sense themes of numbers, resources and dad, who came from Ireland and India of their claim to British identity, it cultural identity with the charge of to work for the NHS. always remained a question for ‘them’, an elite metropolitan conspiracy to of minorities, for minorities and about sweep it all under the carpet. In this There are some things that minorities, for most people. populist account, the relationship of There is a tendency to mock immigration to Britishness is simply we should expect. Integration immigration concerns in places like one of threat: from the fear of being works when people learn Clacton or Norfolk, if they have “swamped” to the existential threat English, play by the rules and comparatively low levels of immigra- long ago posed by , where tion. Yet cultural change in Britain has every new Commonwealth migrant seek to contribute positively – an important impact on people’s sense of was just one more stick on the funeral as long as we all accept that belonging everywhere. The evidence pyre of a nation. Any mainstream party that personal contact often has a positive which seeks to govern Britain today people who join our society impact on people’s perceptions of needs to challenge such existential get to be fully and equally immigrants explains why a sense of pessimism about the society we part of it dislocation may be felt most by those now are. who see and feel rapid population Yet, when seeking to counter changes a few miles up the road, without this “them and us” populism, liberal But there are some things that we experiencing the personal contact which modernisers often make several avoida- should expect. Integration works when often mitigates that. If we rightly note ble mistakes. people learn English, play by the rules that identity matters, to migrants and The “let’s celebrate difference” and seek to contribute positively – as minorities, then surely we need to response to concerns about culture long as we all accept that people who acknowledge that it matters to majorities – that diversity has made us more join our society get to be fully and too. Britain’s history of integration has vibrant and interesting – and the “net equally part of it, which means fair often been one of migrants finding a contribution” response on resources – opportunities and no discrimination confidence about their place in the “actually, I think you’ll find they pay against them or their children. British society they have chosen to join. Our more into the pot than they take out” Future’s research finds people support future as an inclusive and welcoming – have something in common. However this fair deal on integration by 83% society requires a sense of the ‘new us’ benignly intentioned, arguments that to 3% – including over 90% of Ukip which resonates for new and old “they are good for us” remain stories voters. Strikingly, by two to one, we Britons alike.

16 | The Progressive Conscience CULTURE

The Bright Blue dictionary of Britishness We asked our contributors for their definition of Britishness. Here’s what they told us:

? “Love of our “Being part of an “Not wanting – or being history. Suspicion of ancient, quirky but able – to define exactly ideology. Openness to highly successful family what Britishness is.” innovation.” of nations.” Professor Tim Bale George Freeman MP Stephen Crabb MP

“Britishness is good “Generally confused “Rarely seen for long humour, compassion about identity, but enough in good light for all and a healthy tolerant of that.” to define.” disdain of earnestness.” Will Emkes Emran Mian Ross Cypher-Burley

“Aspiring to tolerance, “Britishness consists mutual respect, largely in discomfort freedom and weather with the idea of resistance.” Britishness.”

Damian Green MP Professor Michael Hand

Winter 2014 | 17 SCHOOLSCULTURE INTERVIEW

Daniel Hannan: To define Britain, look to its institutions daniel hannan is a Member of the European Parliament Daniel Hannan MEP talks to James Brenton about and the author of How We Invented Freedom & Why It British values and anglosphere exceptionalism Matters (Head of Zeus, 2013).

Immediately upon sitting down with Daniel Hannan, the the peculiarity of the country. I think that a huge thing in shap- thoughtful Member of the European Parliament and prom- ing the British outlook is our legal system, the presumption inent eurosceptic, he begins to explain his current project: of legality, of residual rights. The idea that you don’t have to a plan to erect a new landmark at Runnymede, where Magna apply for a license to do things, which is still a huge, huge cul- Carta was signed almost exactly 800 years ago. It was an una- tural difference between us and a lot of Europe. The peculiar bashedly patriotic introduction that set the tone for the inter- emphasis, which again comes in law as well as in custom, on view to follow. The transcript below has been edited. the individual rather than the family. The individual rather than the collective of any kind. The individual rather than the You’ve previously criticised certain British institutions, such as state. These are values that foreigners recognise and through the NHS, that others would consider inseparable from British the centuries have written about as peculiar characteristics of life. What would you say are Britain’s essential institutions? ours and they’re tied up in our institutions. If you mixed up a “My criticism of the NHS is simply that we could be doing British and an Italian baby in the maternity ward, they would better. I mean on most metrics, we are lagging behind most grow up with the values of their adopted place, because we’re other comparable developed countries. It’s not the worst sys- all shaped by the values of our institutions.” tem in the world, but if you look at, let’s say, the OECD coun- tries, this is a bad place to get cancer, heart attack, stroke. We If you’re skeptical of a values-based definition of Britishness, can are not at the bottom, but low in most categories, and we could there be any merit in teaching British values in the classroom? be doing a lot better. Nobody else would dream of copying “I’m a big fan of teaching British history in the classroom, and our system. That seems to me a sad state of affairs, though I’m I think that is what will instill values and habituate people, realistic enough to accept that that is where the public is. wherever their parents were born, in a collective conscious- There is nothing wrong with defining your nation through ness. There is something slightly, kind of, third-worldy about institutions. Gordon Brown used to say “values”. Because he teaching patriotism. If you have as good a story as we have to was so ludicrously oversensitive to the charge of not being tell, with all of our faults, with all our crimes broad blown and English, he used to go on and on about “British values”, “our flush as May, we still have a better story to tell than most. We values”. When he was called on to define them, he would say got the big calls right. We ended slavery. The number of coun- “fairness”, “tolerance.” Fine. Great. And they are presuma- tries that were on the right side in the two world wars and in bly also the values of Ecuador and Finland. How does that the cold war is a short list, but it does contain the Anglosphere. define Britishness? It’s not a bad story to tell compared to other people, with all The truth is, to some extent a nation’s identity does reside in the pluses and minuses. its institutions. And I would allow that the NHS is one of them. Just telling that story will instill good values in people, it But also counties, army regiments, universities, parliament, will hold up examples of what you can do and it will automat- Inns of Court, all of the things actually, weirdly, that Gordon ically teach people that Britain is not just a random collection Brown was kicking away while saying this. Institutions build of individuals born to a different random collection of individ- up an organic existence, an accretion of legitimacy, generation uals, but wherever their grandparents were from, they are now by generation. They become then, intertwined with values, heirs to this collective inheritance.” inseparable from them. The values and the institutions become

18 | The Progressive Conscience INTERVIEW SCHOOLSCULTURE INTERVIEW

Your most recent book is titled “How We Invented Freedom & Why It Matters.” Taking part of the subtitle for the US edition as a summary of the thesis, you argue that “the English- speaking peoples made the modern world”. Isn’t that an oversimplification, and ignoring many influences from Europe and elsewhere? For example, ’s history of religious toleration, or Switzerland’s direct democracy, which you’ve elsewhere claimed to admire. “I’ve never claimed that Britain invented democracy. The Athenians were casting different coloured stones into voting urns when the remote fathers of the English were still grub- bing around with pigs in the cold soil of northern Germany. Nor do I contend that we invented the law. I mean, there were Sumerian law codes, Egyptian law codes, Assyrian law codes, even before Moses came down from Sinai there were law codes. What we invented was constitutional freedom, the idea that parliament is a guarantor of property and , rath- er than simply an instrument of majority rule. This makes us very different from the continental tradition, which is much more statist, and in practical terms has been much more brutal because it’s based on the kind of ideas that derive from Rous-

seau of the general rule of the people rather than the Lockean Source: Charles Clegg idea of the compact among individuals and of contingent legit- imacy bestowed on the state by individuals. lot whether to walk away or whether to stay? In some, but not in many. Not even in the US, certainly not in , Spain or Scotland has been voting Labour for longer . Because the state is more than a contract among the indi- viduals that comprise it in those places. It was a lovely, timely than anyone can remember. The referendum reminder of the anglosphere conception of government, which made everyone go back to first principles is ‘we agree to this, and we aren’t bound forever by a decision that our ancestors made.’ It’s also great that, in Scotland, it has made people rethink At no time in the 20th century was there any popular sup- their politics from first principles. I wish people would do that port in any anglosphere country for fascism or communism. more often. Nothing is more corrupting for a political party Of how many countries in the western tradition can that be than taking its voters for granted. Scotland has been voting said? Again, I don’t see how you can divorce that from our Labour for longer than anyone can remember, and people institutions, because the legal and political structure habitu- didn’t stop and think about it. It was just what you did. The ated people in a particular attitude. It made them much less referendum made everyone go back to first principles, because ready to accept state authority than in France, Italy, Germany, for the first time everyone was talking politics. Everyone was or . registered to vote. And, I think a number of people have been There were two things that distinguished anglosphere cul- saying to themselves, ‘you know what, I have been voting ture early: one, the elevation of the law above the state, Magna Labour all my life, so has everyone else, and look at the state Carta, etc., and, two, the elevation of the individual above the of this place!’ It’s great. I wish that would happen more often.” collective. And those two things are linked.” The subject of this edition of The Progressive Conscience is You mentioned recently in your blog for the Telegraph that British Identity. How would you define “Britishness”? the current conversation about devolution after the Scottish “I would define it by our national characteristics. Understated. referendum will “change everything”. For the better, or for the Calm in a crisis. Not making a fuss while behaving exception- worse? ally. Those are anglosphere characteristics, they’re not just UK “For the better. The referendum in Scotland was an exception- ones. If you were trying to define Britishness in a way that was al example of the Lockean original compact in action. In how different from New Zealand-ishness, you would be hard many countries in the world are people free to decide by a bal- pushed.”

Winter 2014 | 19 SCHOOLSCULTURE LETTER EXCHANGE

peter hitchens is a journalist, broadcaster and author who currently writes a weekly column for the Mail on Sunday Is Britain still Great? ryan shorthouse is the Director of Bright Blue Peter Hitchens and Ryan Shorthouse discuss

Dear Peter, years been (to put it mildly) careless about liberty and law, and As conservatives, we believe in the importance of patriotism in have openly switched their allegiance to revolutionary concepts helping to forge a national culture underpinned by secular law of “rights” and “equality”, migrants who come here because that can mitigate social division. they admire our traditions may have made a bad mistake. Even We should and can be proud of modern Britain. Look at the modern concept of the “citizen” is alien to our history (I was the people who want to be part of it. The Scots recently voted born a British subject, and would prefer to have remained one). decisively to stay part of this great nation. Hundreds and Our relatively good living standards are not a perma- thousands of immigrants come to this island each year to con- nent feature of our lives, but a temporary consequence of tribute to and enjoy British life. The overwhelming majority circumstances which seem to me to be coming to an end. The are enthusiasts for, and enrich, British institutions and values. “insights and principles” you list appear to me to be liberal Economically and socially, Britain is a better place to live and materialistic, not conservative. Finally, if you believe that than some decades ago. Though there are of course problems crime rates are genuinely lower, then you will believe anything. among some, our citizens are generally better educated, These figures have been shown over the past year to be wholly healthier and more tolerant. They experience lower crime unreliable. The Scottish vote to remain in the UK was far from rates, higher living standards and more opportunities. The “decisive”, and I would be surprised if it is not held again, with evidence shows that people prioritise and support family and a different result, within 20 years. community life just as much as in the past. A major contribu- Yours sincerely, tor to these successes has been the implementation of policies Peter Hitchens based on conservative insights and principles: supporting civic engagement, competitive markets, low taxation and public Dear Peter, service reform, for example. Without doubt, today, you’re I do not regard national pride as sinful. Rather, I see it as an lucky to be a British citizen. essential ingredient for achieving two key social goals. First, Best, for enabling a civilized and constructive political system that Ryan does not collapse as a result of the existence of socio-econom- ic, ethnic or religious differences. Second, for building and Dear Ryan, improving institutions that protect and enhance the lives of In a free country it is surely odd to suggest that anyone “should” fellow citizens, especially the vulnerable. be proud of anything. Pride is in any case a sin, and famously In fact, I believe national pride can be a manifestation comes before a fall. Shouldn’t we rather be free to choose what of a critical part of conservative thinking. Namely, that real to approve of, and what to criticise? As a conservative, I believe freedom and value emerge when we look out from the self, and above all in the Christian religion and in man’s need to subject become responsible for, respect and love others. Incidentally, himself to divine law. Nations are simply the largest societies in another element of conservative thinking – personal responsi- which it is possible to be effectively unselfish, beginning with bility – does actually draw on the liberal tradition: as you have the voluntary acceptance of the primacy of law over power, just argued, freedom of expression and the legal protection of wealth and force. individual liberty are essential. I have very little idea of why individual migrants come here Our nation state is not “simply” like any other nation state, as I’ve seen no reliable research on the subject. They must have able to protect people from abusive power, both domestically many different reasons. I have no way of knowing whether and internationally. This nation is unique, in its history, values they do so because they admire our traditions of liberty under and institutions. the law, or whether it is because they quite reasonably appreci- And, on the whole, I believe it is a rather good place to ate the ordered prosperity which has in the past been the result live. For a start, your ability to express and practice your of those traditions. Since our own governments have for many Christianity would, to put it mildly, be very difficult in many

20 | The Progressive Conscience LETTER EXCHANGE SCHOOLSCULTURE LETTER EXCHANGE

other nations across the globe. Your writing elsewhere sug- constrained by the doctrine of Equality and Diversity, which gests the contrary – that immigration, the decline of religious (through the Equality Act, itself an EU directive) specifically practice, the EU, our divorce laws, to name a few, are eroding displaced Christianity as the basic doctrine of this country, and our way of life. But I’ve provided evidence to suggest British relegated it to the same level as all other religions. identity and experience has strengthened and improved Christian adoption societies have already been driven out for most people. Yes, such progress is not inevitable. It will of existence. Christian marriage has been relegated from the continue to depend on the goodness, ingenuity and industri- standard to a lifestyle choice (and may be further limited). ousness of our people. Christianity is increasingly side-lined in schools. I could, as you Best wishes, well know, go on. It is the last refuge of a bad argument to say Ryan that it could be worse elsewhere. Of course it could. Then the point is that it was better here, and is now worse, through our own choice. Our ‘socio-economic system’ has not yet Does “personal responsibility” draw on the liberal tradition? I rather though it drew on the Christian tradition. In any case, collapsed. There is, as Adam Smith said, a lot our society doesn’t believe in it, especially in criminal justice. of ruin in a nation. But it is in severe decline I do not know what “progress” is, nor do I seek it. Its use seems to me to be an attempt to portray all change as good. , especially the astonishingly cruel and bloody 20th century, suggests that there is no such thing. The conserv- Dear Ryan, ative idea is surely that change should be judged on its merits, You miss half my point. I objected mainly to being told that I and rejected if needless or unwelcome. was under any obligation to have positive feelings about my Yours sincerely, country. The very idea seems totalitarian to me. A properly Peter self-confident country would be content to contain any number of critics who both loved their country and thought it was in (as Dear Peter, it is) a rather poor and worsening state. I’m afraid the anger you have about the state of our nation is Our “socio-economic system” has not yet collapsed. There not supported by facts. The following evidence may help you is, as Adam Smith said, a lot of ruin in a nation. But it is in with understanding progress. severe decline, living on a more prosperous and stable past, our Death rates – especially child and from infectious current levels of public and private debt are unsustainable, diseases – have plummeted: from over 20 per 1,000 of the as is our negative trade balance with the world. This doesn’t population per year in the middle of the nineteenth century to have to end with some sort of Hollywood apocalypse. A more fewer than 10 per 1,000 per year at the start of the twenty-first likely end would be a gradual fraying of morals and obliga- century. Life expectancy continues to rise. tions, trust, standards and law; this might be combined with a The average period spent in school and literacy rates have sustained fall in real wages, a threadbare welfare state which risen dramatically since the mid twentieth century with more is both increasingly unaffordable and increasingly unable to young people now getting the necessary grades to partake in meet its obligations. Our institutions – whether you include the modern labour market. Parliament, the schools and universities, the media, the police As Dr Max Roser from Oxford University has shown, aver- or the civil service, have never been so weak. “Pride”, in such age food intake has risen, levels of malnourishment and hunger circumstances, would be a complacent mistake. are down, air and river quality have improved. The cost of most This nation *was* unique. But it has consciously decided to essential and luxury goods – electricity, gas, food, cars, holidays, cease to be so. We became a debtor instead of a creditor nation computers – have fallen since the mid twentieth century. in 1916, and have been ever since. Our particular form of GDP per capita – the average prosperity of each member Protestant Christianity (the basis of our uniqueness above all our nation – has risen since the mid twentieth century, and things) has effectively ceased to exist. The tradition of limited is higher now than all Europe apart from Germany. Lord government dating back to Magna Carta, and reinforced by Matthew Ridley, author of The Rational Optimist, has the the Bill of Rights, has been superseded by a Jacobin doctrine of evidence to demonstrate how reported well-being has actually “Human Rights”, which turns freedom into the conditional gift improved as prosperity levels have. of the state rather than man’s birth-right. We have lost or given Even since the recession, we have seen economic growth up our independence in foreign policy and in many domestic return, rising fastest compared to the rest of the developed policies, notably all those now governed by the EU. My world, and unemployment – especially youth unemploy- ability to express and practise my Christianity is increasingly ment – falling dramatically. Our levels of volunteering and

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charitable giving have also increased, and are higher than the greater good. They built so well that 50 years of increasing previous generations. greed, self-indulgence and ignorance have not yet destroyed Evidently, Britain is not a nation in decline. Most of our cit- everything they put in place. But that is no reason to suppose izens enjoy a higher quality of life than previous generations. that the legacy of our forebears will last forever, while we spend You talked about institutional decline. Let’s look at the facts in and spend and spend. three examples you cite. First, the Church. A majority of Brit- The difference between us is also perhaps that I am not a ons still say there are Christian. And faith schools, especially materialist, and regard such things as inadequate measures of or Catholic schools, have risen in recent a nation’s health. “Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, years. Second, universities. Four of the world’s top ten univer- where wealth accumulates and men decay”. sities are in the UK; we are the country that takes the second Child mortality continues to fall as it has for many decades highest proportion of international students, illustrating their (the rate fell from 140 per thousand births to 20 per thousand in prestigious reputation. Third, Parliament. Our political sys- the period 1900–1965, and the decline since, though welcome, tem is more representative of our national population than in has been small by comparison) . But if one included the 180,000 the past; MPs are more accessible and work harder, 69 hours healthy unborn babies, slaughtered each year in legal abor- a week according to Hansard. Abuse exists; but it is a small tions, as part of the infant mortality figures, they would have proportion of parliamentarians. In the past five years, as the been rising since the early 1970s. Similar terrible things have OECD shows, trust in our government has actually increased. been happening to marriage, increasingly a disposable lifestyle I am not blind to the fact that there are still major problems. option. It has in fact been rather a rough time for children, who Our public and private debt is still higher than it should be, have taken second place to adult selfishness on a scale not seen you are right. Poverty remains stubbornly high. Inequality has since the 19th century. risen. Productivity is falling. Extremist ideologies still warp Would you rather be born, or violently killed before you the minds of too many young people. were born? Which would you rather have in every home – a But it is on our hands to change these problems. For example, flat-screen TV, or a father? Under your formula, the increase you mentioned the welfare state: well, the evidence suggests that in material goods is all you need to examine. But this is not so the reforms this coalition government have made have reduced under mine. A people which forgets the moral covenant which long-term unemployment and the size of the welfare budget. underpins its prosperity will not remain prosperous. Problems have been solved in the past through good poli- I am touched by your willingness to believe government cymaking, social action and effective leadership. They will be statistics, and to believe that empty figures contain a deeper again, drawing on the talent and tenacity of Britons – scientists, meaning. Time spent in school is useless if the school is an undis- teachers and, yes, even politicians. To say Britain is a mess is ciplined chaos where nothing can be learned. Literacy rates an insult to the people who work hard day in and day out to may have risen, but many more people now cannot (and do make sure Britain isn’t, and won’t be. I passionately believe we not) write coherently or read anything beyond street signs and ought to respect what our ancestors have built, have a sense of advertising posters, which makes one wonder what a “literacy perspective, and consider ourselves lucky to be British. rate” is. Unemployment *figures* have certainly declined. Thank you for the exchange. But there is, to say the least, some dispute about whether the Best wishes, number of unemployed *people* has fallen. I do not know how Ryan one can measure the accessibility of an MP, or how hard he works. The problem is that, while he may be accessible, your To say Britain is a mess is an insult to the MP works not for you but for his party leader, and that when you gain access to him, he may be able to help you with your people who work hard day in and day out to drains or your parking (a job which councillors, not MPs, ought make sure Britain isn’t, and won’t be to do) but he will generally ignore your political desires unless you are already rich and powerful. Before I head home through potholed streets to take my Dear Ryan, grotesquely expensive museum-piece train (which can be relied Some facts are not the whole truth. Material gain, though upon to be delayed) past hundreds of square miles which used welcome, is not enough and in any case may not endure if the to be filled by productive factories and are now crammed civilisation which provides it lacks the moral will to sustain with cramped and over-priced housing, and disfigured with it. We cannot continue forever to live on the legacy of Victo- unchecked graffiti, I would say to you that to claim this is rian and Edwardian engineering genius. We live, in terms of country is *not* a mess is an insult to the intelligence. wealth, institutions, public health and infrastructure, on the Yours sincerely, legacy of generations before us who deferred gratification for Peter

22 | The Progressive Conscience CULTURE

Painting a picture of Britain The arts are inextricably linked to British culture, and we should continue to invest in them, argues Alan Davey

the inherent value of culture. A Britain rocket fuel for our £71.6bn creative alan davey is BBC Radio 3’s without arts and culture would be industries where we genuinely lead new controller and departing Arts Council Chief Executive a dreary place indeed. Without the the world. Arts and culture drive shared memories in museums; school growth, investment and tourism orchestras; local choirs; the show at and have a direct impact on local Being British, or any other ‘ish’ for that your local theatre; books from our economies. The Lowry centre itself is matter, is inextricably bound up with libraries; outdoor festivals and paintings worth £26m a year to the North West culture. From Shakespeare to Turner or to reflect upon we’d be automatons economy. Meanwhile tourists who The Beatles, any survey of what other moving from home to workplace with took in cultural activities spent £7.3bn nations think about us lists some or all no levity in between. What could be here in 2011. of these after the Queen and Winston less British than that? It cuts across political divides. Churchill. Our national culture is a vital But there’s more to it. We are Former Chair of the Arts Council, and continuing tradition, a huge resource beginning to see how the arts can William Rees-Mogg, talks in his of creative energy and intellectual complement health care and improve memoirs of how Margaret Thatcher as achievement that has helped shape and our wellbeing. As Professor Dr John Prime Minister would tell him to make sustain the history of this country. Ashton says in Create, and culture sure our national institutions like the It is through a kind of conversation “should be regarded as essential to Royal Opera House and the National with our cultural past and present that the functions of life in the same way Theatre were well funded to attract we develop as individuals, as commu- as food and water, and like health and wealthy investors. Her most famous nities and as a nation. Austen, Dickens, wellbeing, they should not be seen as a speech referenced Christopher Fry’s or Wilfred Owen helped people reflect cost but as an investment in a thriving 1948 play The Lady’s Not For Burning. on their own culture just as artists like society and economy.” Many years ago I worked with Peter Steve McQueen do today. We know taking part in culture Brooke to bring in the National Lottery But today we know that people improves educational attainment. and ensure additional funds for the arts. enjoy or interact with art and culture Literacy levels improve when children He and wanted to do that in all kinds of different ways and it do drama and library activities; and because they understood how culture provides all kinds of different value. they achieve better results in maths and weaves further into our everyday Popes, kings, dictators and demo- languages when they’ve taken part in lives than many other better funded cratic governments have always funded structured musical classes. This is one ministries. When Chris Smith took over art and culture, from Michelangelo of the reasons that the Department for their Department for National Heritage and Shakespeare to War Horse. Even Education is including arts subjects he picked up the baton and through the JK Rowling needed an £8,000 grant with the core subjects in the first round newly minted Department for Culture, to write her firstHarry Potter. Yet it’s of reformed GCSEs. It’s why the Arts Media & Sport focused more on sometimes hard to pinpoint why we Council believes every child has a right nurturing the creative industries. do it. That’s why we have developed to see, take part in and talk about the As Grayson Perry has so eloquently a framework to helps us think about best of art and culture whatever school articulated it in recent interviews for what culture does for us all, and they go to. his programme and exhibition on we’ve pulled together some of these Of course, economic value isn’t why identity; “Our sense of ourselves feels conversations into a magazine: Create, we fund the arts, but it certainly helps constant but our identity is an ongoing published in November. to make the case for doing so. There is performance that is changed and Let’s start with what we often an increasing understanding of how the adapted by our experiences and take for granted: the sheer thrill and cultural sector is shaping the identity circumstances over time.” Art and enjoyment we get from great art, the and complexion of our economy too. culture allow us to express our identity life-enhancing, entertaining and inspi- The arts are worth £5 billion per and join a shared conversation about rational, what we instinctively know is year to the UK economy, and are the those experiences.

Winter 2014 | 23 CULTURE

What’s the problem with promoting British values? Michael Hand explores what we mean when we want British values to be taught at school

exemplify these political values that democracy is a demonstrably michael hand is Professor of Philosophy of Education at in their treatment of one another. better bet than dictatorship, or that the University of Birmingham, They endorse campaigns to encourage the can be shown to have editor of the IMPACT series, and voting and democratic participation; more going for it than arbitrary author of Patriotism in Schools they impose severe sanctions on government, and if one nevertheless students who break the law; they wants to win converts to the liberal Teachers, teacher educators and make students aware of the freedoms democratic cause, playing on tribal educational theorists are worried they enjoy and the battles fought loyalties may look like a promising by the requirement to promote to secure those freedoms; and they strategy. In the absence of good British values in schools. The consciously model recognition and reasons, national sentiment must be most oft-heard expression of their respect for people of all religions and a tempting lever to pull. But if this is anxiety is the question, uttered with none. Naturally, some schools do the government’s thinking, it is much varying degrees of indignation and these things better than others, and too pessimistic about the justification incredulity: “But what are British there is always room for improvement; of liberal democratic values and much values?”. That question is not but let there be no doubt that the too ready to replace education with unreasonable, but it is in some ways promotion of liberal democratic indoctrination. unfortunate; the government has in values is already a well-established The other possibility is that the fact been remarkably consistent in its feature of the United Kingdom’s government sees things the other specification of the four political values education system. way round. Perhaps the thought is to be promoted. They are democracy, What, then, is all the fuss about? that, with a little sleight of hand, the the rule of law, individual liberty, Why have the government’s strictures rational appeal of liberal democratic and mutual respect and tolerance of caused such consternation in the values can be used motivate national different faiths and beliefs. educational ranks? The problem lies, sentiment. Liberty and democracy are It is entirely appropriate for I think, in the oddity of dubbing an easy sell, love of Britain a tough schools to promote these values. these political values “British”. It is one, so why not hitch the wagon The suggestion that promoting them plain that democracy, law, liberty of patriotism to the star of liberal is unjustified when some people are and respect are not originally or democracy? Well, for a couple of theocrats or anarchists is analogous exclusively British: they are not British reasons. First, a good case for cultivat- to the suggestion that teaching in the sense that Trinitarian beliefs are ing national sentiment in schools has evolution is unjustified when some Christian or peyote rituals are Native yet to be made. And second, even if people are young earth creationists. American. They are British only in such a case were forthcoming, realising Where the arguments stack up the sense that Britain, like rather a the aim by linguistic trickery would overwhelmingly on one side of a lot of other countries in the world, is hardly be educationally defensible. dispute, there is no requirement on a liberal democracy; and, as Michael The designation of democracy, law, schools to remain neutral. To the Rosen notes in the last of his open liberty and respect as British values is a contrary, they have an obligation letters to , “that’s not crude attempt to bundle up political to help students follow where the how we use adjectives, is it?”. principle with national sentiment in strongest arguments lead. I can think of two possible expla- the education of children and young It is, moreover, entirely normal nations for the government’s attempt people. That’s why the policy has been for schools to promote these values. to classify liberal democratic values met with such suspicion by educators Schools routinely both advocate as British. One is that it doesn’t have and educationalists. The solution to democracy, law, liberty and respect, much confidence in the arguments the problem is easy: just stop calling and expect staff and students to for liberal democracy. If one doubts these values British.

24 | The Progressive Conscience BRITAIN AND THE WORLD

Multiple loyalties are easy Can one not be both British and European? Damian Green MP thinks we can

UK citizens who have moved from damian green is the MP for one UK country to another, or have Ashford, and Chairman of European Mainstream ancestry which is shared between different countries, I find it easy to reconcile British identity with a sense of Writing about Britain and Europe in being European. the context of a wider discussion on Given that we are living at a time British identity is refreshing. It forces when the emotional attack on any kind us to address matters which can easily of European identity is at its strongest be neglected in the day-to-day debates for decades, it is ironic that so many over Europe. At the root of the extreme people have recently confronted forms of anti-EU feeling is the idea that another problem of dual loyalty, that to it is impossible to be a patriotic Brit and Scotland and the UK, and have come to want Britain to remain a member down on the side of wanting both.

of the EU. I still receive the odd letter Indeed one of the notable aspects of Source: Eric Fischer accusing Ted Heath of committing those bizarre last few days of the cam- treason, notwithstanding the legally paign was how the English were finally in, if you did the same throughout the crucial fact that he is dead, and I note stirred into proclaiming their affection EU you would always know which that when Lord Hill was questioned for a UK that contained Scotland. country you were in. by the Commons European Scrutiny In the wake of the Scottish Referen- We can therefore dismiss, as part Committee on taking up his role with dum it should now be reasonable to ask of the in-or-out debate, the fear that the Commission he was asked how he English Eurosceptics to acknowledge Britain will in some way disappear if we could take both the Commission Oath that, just as it is possible to be a remain inside the EU. The identity of and the Privy Council oath. Clearly patriotic Scot and want the Union, so any UK citizen is a complex one, and deep passions are stirred. it is possible to be a patriotic Brit and that complexity is now reflected in the want the UK to remain part of the EU. tortured debates we are having about I have not observed the French For those who are willing to look the political institutions required to beyond their own front doors, this give legitimacy to our identity. While losing their sense of amour combination of identities is obviously Britishness may be hard to define, it is propre in the past sixty years possible. I have not observed the French easy to recognise. Most importantly, losing their sense of amour propre in it is almost impossible to imagine the past sixty years, nor the Germans the circumstances in which it would At a personal level I find the idea of their selbstliebe. Even the hard core be dissolved. multiple loyalties an easy one to cope EU members are as different in their We can have the European debates, with. As a Welshman representing a national ways as ever. The ever-closer about the economy, trade, the strength Kentish seat in Parliament I can remain union among the peoples of Europe of our voice in the world and the patriotically Welsh while standing which the Treaty of Rome aspired to desirability of not alienating our friends up for English interests. The two are (“among the peoples” is always left out and neighbours, without any nagging entirely compatible both intellectually when this country debates the issue) anxiety about the future of British values and emotionally. Mae Hen Wlad Fy palpably does not entail the creation or identity. If you want us out of the EU Nhadau will raise the hairs on the back of a homogeneous European people. I believe you are profoundly wrong, but of my neck when sung at the right Unlike in Britain, where it would be I do not question your patriotism or event, but so will God Save the Queen. depressingly difficult if dropped in one your sense of Britishness. What would Perhaps as a result of this dual loyalty, of our big cities to know on first sight be truly British would be to continue which comes naturally to millions of which part of the country you were this debate calmly and tolerantly.

Winter 2014 | 25 BRITAIN AND THE WORLD

Influence in the Middle East Ross Cypher-Burley examines Britain’s historical links with the Middle East, and why British influence is more important than we think

ross cypher-burley was heads in shame at the geopolitical what is, despite specific controversy Spokesman to the British destruction we wrought over the around the Occupation, now one of the Embassy in Tel Aviv from 2012–2014 and now works for region. Historical shame can lead to world’s most respected legal systems. Portland Communications paralysis over policy, as we worry about Britain’s colonial past defines speaking too loudly about foreign our identity and has influenced the Travel around Israel and the Palestinian policy issues for fear of summoning character of others’. Our shared Territories, and the remnants of Britain’s the colonial ghosts of the past. experiences with countries like Israel imperialist past are all around. Not gives us a stronger voice. The irony just in monuments, in street names We cannot run from our past, is that we refuse to use it. Israelis and in Jerusalem or the commonwealth Palestinians want to hear the UK’s graves in Ramlah or Gaza, but in the but we should recognise our voice. Palestinians may still harbour minds of the people. On both sides influence on events today anger over historical injustices, but they of the green line, street vendors, believe our voice in the international academics, politicians, refugees and arena holds weight – more weight than settlers – all have an opinion on Britain’s Israel is a good example. Few coun- even we would ascribe to it. During historical impact on the present. Many tries stir the emotions like Israel. For 2013, the UK was happy to let Secretary across the region genuinely believe some, a key democratic ally in the heart Kerry do all the heavy lifting of making that Britain is still a global world of the Middle East. For others, an apart- progress on the peace process. But power of enormous strength, second heid state subjugating the Palestinian though the U.S. has a powerful voice only to the in influence. people and the cause of much regional in Israel, their words often fail to cut The problem is, we don’t. discontent. What is undisputable is through on the streets on Ramallah. Try talking to a Hebronite, for Britain’s historic ties with the country. In the spring of 2013, Palestinians example, about what they think about Balfour’s famous Declaration that the discreetly sounded out the possibility “Britishness”. Chances are you’d be British Government viewed “with of a UK, France and Germany peace subjected to a lengthy history lesson. favour the establishment in Palestine of plan as an alternative to the Kerry The historic actions of our leaders have a national home for the Jewish people” plan. It failed to materialise as the UK consequences that live in the collective changed the course of history. The assumed it would anger the Americans memory. I remember getting lost once Declaration was brief, the letter short, and cause diplomatic fallout. in Ramallah, and telling my Palestinian but the principle enunciated of huge Israelis and Palestinians get angry friend that I was going to pull over significance and of lasting consequence, at our inconsistency more than our and ask a group of stall vendors for paving the way to the creation, in 1948, history. The UK Government will slam directions. She urged me to be careful; of the state of Israel and victory for the Hamas for launching rockets, but in my British accent would cause trouble Zionist movement. the same breath will criticise the Israelis during what was a time of heightened We should be proud of our historical for settlement construction, infuriating tension. Rather than get criticised for ties to Israel. Balfour’s legacy was Tel Aviv. We call for settlement freezes the actions of my government, I was not just in the creation of the State of countless times each year, but instead mocked for being a Tottenham Israel, but in its nature and character. clumsily bolt on criticism of Palestinian Hotspur supporter. But as I returned to The Mandate shaped key aspects of incitement in the West Bank. the car, one of them shouted in Arabic the embryonic state. For example, If we are to make an impact in the a less than polite reference to General it introduced legislation based upon Middle East, our actions should Wauchope, a hated British figure from English common law and equity reflect our role in the history of region. the Arab Revolts. principles from which Israel built its Our identity is shaped by our history. This historical legacy leaves many court procedure, criminal law and civil We cannot run from our past, but we politicians in Britain uncomfortable. code. Israel built on this foundation, should recognise our influence on Some argue that we should hang our evolving its own judicial character into events today.

26 | The Progressive Conscience BRITAIN AND THE WORLD

Winning friends in India Does the shared history between India and Britain matter now, or are both sides just playing an economic game? Emran Mian explores

in the relationship between the two However, the larger cause of emran mian is the emerging superpowers. When Michael the slump in student numbers isn’t Director of the Social Market Foundation Fallon was in India recently though, he perception, it’s the hard policy fact wasn’t talking about how to prevent that working in the UK post-study has this happening, he was pushing the sale become much more difficult for Indian “We are two great democracies that of British guns that, as he put it, are students. Without the opportunity to face many of the same challenges,” said “ideal” for the new corps. get work experience in the UK as well as recently of Britain a degree, studying elsewhere, including and India, “we need more economic Without the opportunity at improving Indian universities, has growth, we need more investment in become more attractive. Dealing with trade. We both have to fight extremism to get work experience in this requires going to the heart of how and terrorism.” Cameron’s agenda for the UK as well as a degree, comfortable UK voters feel about an the relationship – boosting economic studying elsewhere has open labour market. Not dealing with growth and trade, fighting extremism it threatens a weakening of our future and terrorism – is well chosen but become more attractive economic and political ties with India. pursuing a progressive version of these A welcome and complementary aims is incredibly difficult. This tension between increased move in restoring the relationship Let’s start with defence contracts. trade and wider political objectives among young students is already The Modi government is concluding the is obvious in defence contracting. It underway: the British Council is purchase of new fighter jets to boost its emerges equally in immigration policy. aiming to get 25,000 British students capabilities vis-a-vis Pakistan and China. As Kumar Iyer, the Director General studying in India. Increasingly research, The French firm, Dassault, is in pole for UK Trade and Investment in India, industrial and cultural associations position. The UK is in the incidentally a Brit of Indian origin, between Britain and India will start in via the Eurofighter programme, but the puts it, “the UK is the single largest dormitories and seminar rooms over nature of the contract – notably, that the G20 investor in India and India invests there as well as in the UK. Equally, majority of the aircraft are to be built more in the UK than in the rest of the we might expect that a future wave of in India – suggests that Indian decision EU combined.” The imperative for an British retirees will go to India rather makers are seeking more independence open exchange of talent is there. Yet the than Spain or Portugal to enjoy a high in their future military strategy. They number of Indian first-year students standard of living at lower cost. may believe that the French will be easier starting courses at UK universities fell Like in any bilateral relationship, partners than the UK; after all, France from 23,985 in 2010–11 to 12,280 in history matters. The Indian Parliament was the one major Western country not 2012–13. will soon pass legislation to eliminate a to impose sanctions on India after the The rapid decrease is likely to be part of that history – the legacy of nuclear weapons test in 1998. partly due to the perception that the colonial laws left over from before Another sign of the renewed military UK government is exercising tighter 1947. Police officers, for example, will confidence in India is the decision to control on the issuing of student visas. no longer be required to doff their caps raise a new corps of the Indian Army As Iyer and others suggest, this is often to royalty. On the whole, though, to be based on the border with China. no more than a perception. Perhaps it history isn’t the obstacle to a new The raising of this new corps is a long can be dealt with by the countervailing relationship between Britain and India, way from Cameron’s stated common increase in the size of, for example, the it’s the competing strategic and objectives of fighting extremism and Chevening scholarships programme economic priorities of the present day. terrorism. Instead it is part of an old for Indian scholars – growing four-fold Foreign policy and immigration are the fashioned stand off over a border and by 2015–16 – or by a further symbolic hard cases. If those can be cracked, then adding 90,000 new Indian troops can move like taking students out of the there are plenty of opportunities for the only be a recipe for further instability Conservatives’ net migration target. relationship to mature and develop.

Winter 2014 | 27 BRITAIN AND THE WORLD

Different down under? Nick Cater explains the British spirit of Australia, and how it has shaped the country’s past and future

describes as “a Jakarta focus rather than Like Canada and New Zealand, nick cater is Executive a Geneva one.” Australia came to inherit a particularly Director of the Menzies Research Centre Yet Abbott remains an incorrigible stable kind of democracy that also Anglophile. He recently used his prime copied the physical architecture of ministerial prerogative to reintroduce British institutions in meticulous There was a palpable sense of relief the honours of Knights and Dames, detail. In Australia this was repeated across much of Australia when it remembers fondly his days at Oxford multiple times. Six state parliaments became clear that the Scots had University and has watched every conduct their business in chambers decided to stay. The conservative episode of Downton Abbey. While it instantly recognizable as models of the Prime Minister Tony Abbott and might seem like sentimentalism, it is House of Commons, each bristling the Scottish-born Left wing Labour anything but. with Victorian grandeur and charm. Senator, Doug Cameron, found Australia may no longer be a British Parliament House in Canberra is less themselves in rare agreement; country, but it is a nation where British- than 30 years old, and impressive in a Australia’s distant ancestral home ness – a civic rather than an ethnic different way, but business in its twin should remain a kingdom united. concept – remains at the core of public chambers is conducted strictly on Naturally there were a few who life. Australia inherited from Britain the Westminster lines. disagreed. The radical-nationalist, idea that governments as well as people The shape of Australian parlia- anti-colonial narrative that came to should be subject to the rule of law. It ments cannot easily be dismissed as the fore when Australia celebrated the absorbed the spirit of liberty, it thrived mere affectations or colonial relics, 200th anniversary of British settlement on the spirit of progress that stemmed as some have attempted to do. They in 1988 remains strong among the from the Scottish Enlightenment and are Australian civility made manifest. urban elites. inherited civic institutions that were Ferocious battles take place every In September 1993, then prime made in Britain. sitting day in the contest of ideas. minister Paul Keating met the Queen in Few in Australia would consciously Machiavellian games are played, the drawing room at Balmoral and told call these Anglosphere values, as Daniel tempers are lost and grudges held but, her that her days as Australia’s head of Hannan did recently in his book, however heated the combat may seem, state were numbered. The monarchy, Inventing Freedom: How the Eng- it must obey the rules. Its processes he said, “had gently drifted into lish-Speaking Peoples Made the Modern may be slow, and the results imper- obsolescence”. World. That, however, is undoubtedly fect, but it is a system incapable of Six years later, when Keating’s what they are. They produced a fathering tyranny. assumption was tested at a referendum, system that, in Hannan’s words, “on While it may be unfashionable to 55 percent of Australians voted for the whole rewarded production better say so, it is clearly no accident that the status quo. Support for a republic than predation.” And that is why the great civilisation of the south was has since fallen to around 40 per cent, Australia works. built on a continent settled by the according to the recent opinion polls, “The reason that a child of Greek British. It is not a land that surrenders and the topic is barely raised. parents in Melbourne is wealthier and its wealth without a fight, but a British How should this be read? Certainly, freer than his cousin in Mytilene has settlement, enthused with the liberating Australians have developed a clear nothing to do with race and everything values of the Enlightenment, succeeded, sense of national identity over the last to do with political structures,” writes and continues to succeed, beyond all 50 years. The nation is a confident Hannan. Characteristics the world expectation. global player with an ethnically diverse imagines are particularly Austral- It was driven by aspiration and population that possesses a culture and ian – informality, outspokenness, accomplished through grit, enterprise character of its own. Three quarters self-reliance and an inherent suspicion and inventiveness. But liberty of a of Australian exports go to Asia and of authority – are extensions of a very peculiarly British kind was the spirit Abbott is committed to what he British idea of personal freedom. that made it possible.

28 | The Progressive Conscience BRITAIN AND THE WORLD

The Commonwealth vs the EU Austen Saunders assesses our relationship with the Commonwealth, and how it compares with Britain’s relationship with the EU

austen saunders is a would be immense, the chances of The result would be an Indian researcher at Bright Blue success slim, and the best-case scenario economy of $3.5 trillion in 2022. and researcher at the English would leave us slightly behind where That’s less than Germany now. The Faculty at Oxford University we are now. Commonwealth outside the UK would Just look at the numbers. In 2012 the have GDP worth $11.2. The EU? Have you seen the episode of Only total GDP of EU member states exclud- $16.6 trillion. Fools and Horses where Rodney applies ing the UK was $14.2 trillion. That of Meanwhile, trade deals don’t fall for his own job? Concluding that Commonwealth countries excluding the from trees like fair trade bananas. membership of Trotters Independent UK was $7.4 trillion. In other words, India leaves our delegations waiting Traders is like a timeshare in a burning we’re already part of a free trade area in corridors just like they make building, Rodney tells Del Boy twice the size of a Commonwealth Free everyone else wait. It’s a country where he’s quitting. But when he phones Trade Area. And Europe’s full of rich supermarkets remain regulated out of a company advertising an exciting consumers buying high-value goods the retail sector. Anyone who thinks executive position, he doesn’t realise and services. Malawi isn’t. It’s tempting we’ll ever be able to negotiate the same that the number is Del Boy’s new to imagine how things might work out trade terms we currently enjoy with mobile. Del strings him along before with India. But throw over Germany Germany is nuttier than a piece of cutting him down to size. What in search of what-might-be, and we’ll Dresden stollen. a plonker. soon find ourselves texting Angela in And if it’s hard enough getting I’m reminded of that episode when the middle of the night begging her to France onside, imagine negotiating with I hear Eurosceptics argue that we need take us back. twice as many countries as are in the to get out of Europe so that Britain can EU now. Getting countries as different trade more. The idea is that once we In 2012 the total GDP of EU as Bangladesh and to agree what stop paying Spaniards to siesta until day it is would be a diplomatic triumph. they retire at 35 we can negotiate all member states excluding We’ve already achieved – at great effort sorts of wonderful trade deals with the UK was $14.2 trillion. – membership of a huge free trade zone countries like India with which we That of Commonwealth made up of countries with whom we have strong “historic ties” (i.e. places have close historic ties. Doing it all over we used to rule and then got kicked out countries excluding the UK again would just be showing off. of). UKIP claim in their 2014 European was $7.4 trillion. In other A century ago Joseph Chamberlain Election manifesto that “outside the was campaigning for tariff reform. EU, we can negotiate our own trade words, we’re already part of His idea was to turn the Empire into a deals, but be in a stronger position”. a free trade area twice the protectionist block. Fearing Britain was Their policy is to establish the Com- size of a Commonwealth falling behind Germany and the US, he monwealth Free Trade Area. wanted to opt out of the global race. Go with it for a minute. Imagine Free Trade Area The idea that the Commonwealth can – just imagine! – if we could convert be an economic alternative to the EU the whole Commonwealth (including But of course it’s the future that is that old idea rehashed. It’s not even India, Nigeria, and Singapore) into matters so let’s try sketching some nostalgia. It’s a wrong answer from a free trade zone. We’d be riding the options out on the back of an envelope. the past. wave of the future! Let’s take the countries in the Com- Of course there is a free trade No. Trying to turn the Common- monwealth today, take their GDP from area which is dynamic, unified, and wealth into a sphere of influence for 2012, and then take the IMF’s latest free. In 2022 it might have an econ- Britain founded on free trade would forecast for growth in 2015. Then let’s omy worth $22 trillion. It’s called the be like Rodney applying for his own (generously) assume that growth up to USA. Why don’t UKIP suggest we job. The opportunities for humiliation 2022 will average this same level. join them?

Winter 2014 | 29 REVIEWS

BOOKS & ARTS

BOOKS: Inequality and the 1% by Danny Dorling Does inequality matter? Will Emkes looks for answers in Danny Dorling’s book

will emkes is a business , Dorling asks us to imagine makes sense that just a tiny proportion consultant who writes on this as one large plot, throughout which of people deserve such a huge slice economics and international development the 99% have remained ignorant of of the cake, you have to believe that their own exploitation. there is something very special about In practice, we know that the picture the 1 per cent group that justifies their Before Professor Dorling begins his is more complicated than this. The income and wealth. Unfortunately, polemic against the wealthiest 1 per extreme wealth of the 1%, far from many people do, even though an cent, he presents his readers with a being the result of shrewd manipulation increasing number of people see the quote from the Nobel Laureate Robert and clever subterfuge on the part of the extent of their riches as unjustified”. Shiller: “The most important problem wealthy, is merely the by-product of an The logical question that results from we are facing now, today … is rising economic and political consensus that reading this book is whether a reliance inequality”. Dorling sees this as not took place some time ago. The British on , as a means to explain merely a problem, but a “social threat”, public are not simply ignorant as to the disparities in wealth, is an inherently one which will continue to tug forcibly extent that this has taken place, but are, bad thing. Are we living through a at the hems of society until that which in a very real sense, content with the period of “meritocratic extremism”, stiches us together is finally torn apart. idea of disparities in wealth and often as Thomas Piketty has put it? Are we For Dorling, an analysis of our content with the economic policies that happy to extol the virtues of a merito- present state will require more than result in such disparities. cratic society but only on the proviso just sound economics. His book is, in Most of us would agree, if pressed, that the 1% are kept within certain part, an expression of anger towards the that after 1980, there was a definite predefined limits? Given that we will attitudes and social mores within which change of direction in the sympathies always have a 1%, should this group be inequality has been allowed to grow, of the British public. It is often Thatch- indexed against the 99% and stopped by and which have allowed the interests erism that is charged with inaugurating legislation from getting any richer? of the 1% to ride roughshod over the this philosophy, yet even under New These are not just practical questions wellbeing of the 99%. Labour equality could not have been for government policy, and ones which This sense of anger sets Dorling’s considered a governing ideal. Think cannot be answered by looking at the book apart from other recent books back to Mandelson’s intense relaxation Gini coefficient of income inequality or on inequality. He wants to portray the with people “getting filthy rich”. What quoting other measures of distribution. process of accumulating wealth as, in has changed emphatically and irredeem- Rather, these are questions that require some sense, conspiratorial. Throughout ably is the universal acceptance of the us to draw upon a sense of fairness in Inequality and the 1%, the reader is principle of equality of opportunity and society and our attitudes towards each constantly fed with the impression meritocracy. As a slogan, an ideology, other. On this account, Dorling is too that the 1% is a homogenous block, a political programme, meritocracy is preoccupied with laying the blame at capable of collective action and intent now supreme. the door of the 1% and not with on advancing its own self-interest at The term meritocracy has taken unravelling how they got so wealthy the expense of the masses. Whereas root in the British psyche and it is this in the first place. thinkers like Thomas Piketty have that Dorling sees as at the crux of our sought to explain economic inequality current malaise, not the manipulations Danny Dorling’s Inequality and the 1% as a feature inherent to the mechanics of of the 1%. He writes “To believe that it (240p, £12.99) is available from Verso

30 | The Progressive Conscience REVIEWS

BOOKS: How to be a conservative by Roger Scruton Austen Saunders asks whether Roger Scruton’s ideas are applicable in today’s political landscape

which make them possible. Secular rule reforms is the closest we get to practical austen saunders is a of law and democracy underpin healthy advice for what a modern conservative researcher at Bright Blue civil societies and the nation state is the agenda might look like. And good luck only way to achieve these. Anything arguing on Question Time that modern which undermines democratic national human rights are dangerous because For many years now I have suffered sovereignty must therefore be resisted at they incorporate vast claims against the from a pitiable predisposition which all costs. The main dangers are transna- resources of the state and use law to invites both condescension and ridicule. tional jurisdictions like the EU and the transfer to government the moral duties I am a Leicester City fan. Chatting presence in the UK of faith communities which rightly fall upon individuals. with cabbies I’m inevitably led to an (such as certain forms of Islam) which Conservatives can’t afford to give their admission soaked in apology: “I’m won’t sign up to the principles of opponents opportunities to caricature afraid I support Leicester.” Being a tolerance and secular democracy. them as enemies of equality. conservative sometimes feels like that. Despite these shortcomings, Scruton As if addicts of some exotic perversion, Conservatism for Scruton is is right about the key principle which we feel compelled to be wary in conservatives will find themselves company lest we provoke someone to primarily about freedom fighting for over the coming years. That throw chardonnay in our face. This is principle is the right of decent people Roger Scruton’s latest attempt to help These positions are backed up with to get on with building meaningful lives us stand tall and tell the world that heavyweight thinking. Kantian argu- for themselves with the support of the we’re here, we’re conservative, and ments lie behind Scruton’s insistence state when it is genuinely able to help, we’re proud. that the only real human rights are but free of its interference when it isn’t. Conservatism for Scruton is those which forbid others (especially The state can make it easier for us to primarily about freedom. But he also the state) to infringe our sovereignty make our lives worthwhile, but it can’t holds that freedom doesn’t just mean as individuals. Hegel chips in to explain do it for us. the state getting out the way. He why being self-employed can make In action, this means more autonomy thinks that freedom means freedom to work meaningful. Nietzsche leads to for institutions – like successful schools do something and that conservatism the conclusion that social mobility – where good things happen. It means is all about what that something is. must be a key aim of government. giving our top universities the financial In his eyes contemporary liberalism So what would Scruton’s 2015 freedom they need if they’re to stay true is a shallow creed which regrettably manifesto look like? Leave the EU, to their essential mission of advancing captured the Tory party in the late cut human rights down to size, and knowledge (not hitting arbitrary ’70s. In this book he tries to convince bring back grammar schools. Remind admissions targets). It means (in my Thatcher’s heirs that the things they you of any buoyant insurgent parties? opinion) more measures like gay mar- care about can only really be protected And that’s the problem with riage to open up successful institutions by his sort of conservatism. Scruton. His arguments are subtle, to as many people as possible. These are Scruton’s conservatism rests on his thought-provoking, and sophisticated. all expressions of Scruton’s key insight belief that freedom has value when And yet when he tries to spell out into the nature of conservatism – that we can use it to participate in shared what conservatives should be fighting conservatism is the politics of making activities and institutions which give life for today he sounds like UKIP. Gay happiness possible. meaning. He argues that these activities marriage and the internet, for example, and institutions arise organically are damned as existential threats to Roger Scruton’s How to be a conservative within and that the job of our shared humanity whilst a general (208p, RRP £18) is available from government is to protect the conditions endorsement of Gove’s education Bloomsbury Continuum

Winter 2014 | 31 REVIEWS

THEATRE: East is East by Ayub Khan-Din Meera Sonecha explores the idea of fear of rejection from British society, and the remedy of tolerance

meera sonecha is assistant editor of The Progressive Conscience

Having walked past the big banners for East is East in Trafalgar Studios on Whitehall a few times, I felt compelled to watch the trailer. It purported to be “one of the best British comedies of all time”. Which of course, led me to wonder how a story about a Pakistani immigrant trying to instill Pakistani values in his seven children could and he doesn’t feel British because of to preserve his own culture, but protects possibly be “one of the best British the colour of his skin. And so he rejects her own at the same time. She is able comedies of all time”. British culture and attempts to protect to integrate both her culture and her The script has hints of a lot of his children by imposing the culture of husband’s in the household, and speaks “British” stereotypes: smoking, a different nation on them. up when something wrong is happening. gossiping, drinking tea, casual racism, His children however, do not She embodies tolerance of other faiths. and jokes about sex. But does this make appreciate his forceful nature. They And even though her husband is an it a “British” comedy? There were, of call Bradford “Bradistan”, they hate overbearing, patriarchal, control-freak, course, a lot of Pakistani/Asian themes: “Paki music” and they eat bacon she maintains her own identity. It is a the something from nothing immigrant behind his back. And this is where the British quality, to welcome and love story, arranged , respect for Britishness comes into the play. Because people of other nations and to let them parents, entrepreneurialism (they own it is not in the rejection of another retain their own identity. It is one that a chip shop), Hindi music, and paisley culture that their Britishness lies, it is we should be proud of. blouses. But this isn’t a play about in their intense desire to be free. To be East is East is a wonderful play, one Pakistan. It is a play set in England in consulted before meeting a potential that will not only appeal to a British the 1960s. In an era when there wasn’t a wife, to be accepted for being an art Asian crowd but to all . large Pakistani diaspora living here and student, to be able to be a hairdresser. It is a story of both the sixties and of when there weren’t Pakistani lawyers It is this liberty that defines Britain today, in a Britain where it is more and doctors. A time when we didn’t and it is the thirst for this liberty that important than ever to be Ella. If you are have the wonderful . makes Genghis’ children British. Being a Genghis, is will make you understand It is a story of struggle. The struggles British isn’t about “drinking, making the importance of the liberal, tolerant of George “Genghis” Khan, a man jokes about sex, thick Irish blokes,” etc, Ella. If you are a Maneer, Meenah, who is so strongly patriotic towards but about having the liberty to choose Saleem, Sajid, Abdul or Tariq (Genghis Pakistan that he doesn’t call Britain what to do with one’s life. So if you’re and Ella’s children), it will make you his country despite living here for 35 gay and you want to get married, fine; think about the difficulties of balancing years. The struggles of a man who has if you want to play basketball from a a conservative and a liberal culture. It married a white, liberal, British woman, wheelchair, fine; if you want to wear will make you laugh, it will make you but doesn’t compromise his culture for a hideous pink fluorescent skirt; fine. frustrated and it will shock you at times. hers. The struggles of this man who You have the liberty to do so. But it is worth seeing, if only to see if could very easily shed his Pakistani Another aspect of British culture it really is a “British” comedy. skin but chooses not to. Out of fear shown very well in the play was of rejection. Because he does not feel through Ella, played by . East is East runs from 4 October to 3 Anglo-Indian. He doesn’t feel English She is understanding of Genghis’ wish January 2015 at Trafalgar Studios, SW1

32 | The Progressive Conscience REVIEWS

EXHIBITIONS: Turner, Kiefer, Ai Wei Wei JMW Turner, Anselm Kiefer and Ai Weiwei on one page? Alexander King shows us how

perhaps an alien eruption hurling itself alexander king is a towards us forebodingly. research assistant at Bright Blue If this is what senility looks like, then we can only be thankful that our population is ageing so rapidly. It is often said by those “in the know”, The Royal Academy’s exhibition of that there are many things that improve Anselm Kiefer is another dedicated to with age. Wine and whisky, of course, history, divinity, and the mythological, but also one’s perception of the past. but Kiefer is more interested in how Things are always better when left to all these themes relate to the natural, settle. So it was in this vein that I set off earthly sphere we inhabit at present. to the Tate Britain to see its exhibition He attempts to make sense of and on Late Turner, sponsored by Ernst & gain knowledge of the world through Young and helpfully titled “Painting relating it to the celestial and the Set Free”, so that you can be in no historical, whilst at the same time doubt that JMW Turner, so derided and viewing time and space as cyclical, rejected by his peers for his later work, making his work both of this time and was in truth reaching his liberated apex out of it. Kiefer’s work is both modern as an artist. I had real concerns that the and ancient, at home next to Warhol porcelain crabs on a carpet in an entire exhibition would be an exercise as much as it is next to Van Gogh. opulent palace, all taking a clever in patronising a truly great artist, In Operation Sea Lion, the German potshot at the Chinese authorities in the paintings adorned with faux hyperbole artist paints 3 chairs over a bath tub form of a Chinese pun. Or the fact that and false praise. But I should not containing toy ships, giving presence the artist painstakingly recreated it all have feared. to the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy from his studio in China, unable, as he The exhibition celebrates Turner in Spirit sitting in judgement and derision is, to leave his homeland. Or the whole all his enigmatic splendour, an artist over the planned but aborted Nazi wink-wink-nudge-nudge of a Chinese who is somehow able to show us the invasion of Britain. It is a piece which artist displaying pieces joking at the narratives of history, mythology, perfectly encapsulates Kiefer’s motifs, expense of a monolithic power, in the and politics in a blaze of light on one that of the relationship between heaven vestiges of a monolithic stately home. canvas, whilst the next canvas uses that and earth, past and present, and how A trip to Blenheim is never wasted, but same burst of light to utterly transfix he feels about his subject. He is an this exhibition is too clever by half. The and perplex us, as we search for some- artist who shows us these themes quite Han Dynasty vase with a well-known thing beyond the natural seemingly readily, so that the intrigue comes not drinks manufacturer’s logo stamped on on display. His watercolours are not from figuring out what Kiefer is trying its side is less cutting edge modern art, limp and jaded, as might have befitted to do, but rather what we more bog standard graffiti artist staple. a man diabetic through corpulence are thinking. If you’ve ever tired of But not to worry: if the art’s not your and blurred by cataracts in old age, hearing how every new artist is bursting thing, it’s in a very nice monolith. but full of vitality and suggestion. I with ideas that we the audience must was most struck by Rain, Steam, and try to discern no matter how opaque it Late Turner runs from 10 September to Speed, where Turner, the first artist to all seems to be, that is a rare pleasure in 25 January 2015 at Tate Britain really explore the new technology of this exhibition. Anselm Kiefer ran from 27 September to steam power in paint, shows us the Finally, to Ai Weiwei’s exhibition at 14 December 2014 at the Royal Academy Great Western Railway emerging from Blenheim Palace. There are a number Ai Weiwei at Blenheim Palace ran from the landscape, perhaps a technology of things peculiar to this exhibition. 1 October to 14 December 2014 at advancing forward out of nature itself, You could highlight the thousands of Blenheim Palace

Winter 2014 | 33 RESEARCH

Bright Blue Research A note on Bright Blue’s current research by David Kirkby

boost the effectiveness of – and public changing the face of Britain’s labour david kirkby is a researcher support for – the welfare system. market. Policymakers are increasingly for Bright Blue Our second project is in the area discussing the causes and implications of immigration. Surveys show that of rising self-employment. Our third immigration is currently voters’ top project explores self-employment and Bright Blue’s programme of research concern and barely a day seems to pass entrepreneurialism for those on low has developed quickly since our without the issue featuring in the media. incomes. We are investigating the causes official launch as a professional think Bright Blue is influencing the debate and nature of self-employment for those tank back in April. That evening, our with its project to develop a balanced on low incomes and identifying what President, Rt Hon David Willetts centre-right agenda on immigration, policies could support this group to MP, announced our key research which can reassure the public of the have better lives and better businesses. themes: individual power and government’s management of the Our fourth research project is on potential, security and prosperity in system, as well as the overall economic the topic of social connections. Having the globalised world and the future of and cultural benefits that immigration good and diverse relationships with conservatism. It felt like the beginning brings. The Conservative Party has been a wide variety of people is not only of something bold, exciting, and full too focused upon caps and clamp- useful for university students seeking of possibilities. downs. This project seeks to develop work. It is also a vital path out of Seven short months later, Bright alternative themes, with accompanying poverty and a means of improving one’s Blue is undertaking a number of policy ideas, for the centre-right on circumstances for many. In this project, research projects, offering fresh analysis immigration – competence, fairness and we explore how to strengthen the social of public policy and original ideas. integration. Watch out for forthcoming networks of different ethnic minority We recently published our first reports including analysis of the groups through three key local public report, Give and take, exploring how attitudes of Conservative and BME services: nurseries, Sure Start Centres, conservatives think about welfare. voters, the themes that have emerged and schools. Armed with new polling data, we from our series of roundtable discus- Bright Blue has long been a offer a comprehensive account of how sions with leading centre-right opinion respected political voice for the liberal conservatives think about welfare and formers and decision makers, and our conservative community. Now it is what they want from it. Authored by Immigration Commission report. producing high quality public policy Ryan Shorthouse and me, we propose Since 2000, nearly a million people research as well. And there is much original welfare reforms designed to have moved into self-employment, more to come.

Join today and receive: A special members pass for the Becoming a member of Bright Blue enables you to support annual Bright Blue Conference and partake in the championing of An exclusive members-only reception each year with high-profile speakers Hard copies of all our books and magazines You will be an official part of Bright Blue's network – invited to all our events and conferences, with the opportunity to meet a wide range of people who share Bright Blue's positive and open-minded view of politics. You will also have the opportunity to contribute ideas on policies and strategy in various ways – in debates, on our blog, and in our magazine. www.brightblue.org.uk

34 | The Progressive Conscience Individual power and potential Thirteen million Britons are in poverty, the majority of which are in low paid work. Especially when fiscal resources are increasingly constrained, Bright Blue will be exploring and devising credible and imaginative approaches to improve our welfare and education systems to ensure greater individual and national prosperity.

Security and prosperity in the globalised world The globalised, capitalist economy has increased living standards and opportunities for millions. But the composition of communities has changed, sometimes rapidly, and pressures on our resources and environment have mounted. Bright Blue will be suggesting ways to find a better balance between maximising the benefits and addressing the challenges of globalisation – such as immigration, environmental degradation and resource scarcity – to build stable societies and sustainable economies.

The future of conservatism Across the western world, societies are becoming more ethnically diverse and socially liberal. Bright Blue will be looking at how conservatism can modernise to remain compelling and inspiring in RESEARCH THEMES liberal democracies. www.brightblue.org.uk