Theresa May on One-Nation Conservatism

Theresa May explicitly framed her approach to leadership and governance through the lens of One-Nation Conservatism upon assuming office in July 2016, asserting she would lead 'in that spirit' of her predecessor. Her initial speeches indicated a desire to break from the perceived individualism and market fundamentalism of the Thatcherite era, instead embracing the state's role in creating a fairer society and promoting social harmony. A key feature of her interpretation was focusing on the 'just about managing' families, whom she identified as being left behind by the political elite. This approach, which shared elements with Christian democracy, sought balance by supporting private enterprise while emphasizing the state's capacity to be a 'force for good' and intervene when markets failed to serve the general populace.

However, the practical application and consistency of May's One-Nation stance were often debated, particularly in the context of the consuming issue of Brexit and internal party opposition. While her rhetoric, such as the 'Shared Society' speech, championed community and tackling 'burning injustices,' her economic policies often remained tethered to fiscal discipline and deficit reduction, creating an attempt to square the circle between interventionism and austerity. Furthermore, her eventual hard-Brexit stance, which alienated more moderate One-Nation Tories, led many commentators to conclude that her initial One-Nation appeal was largely rhetorical or cosmetic, designed to unite the party and country following the referendum, rather than a fully implemented, enduring ideological structure.