Mark is a Conservative activist and Treasurer of One Nation Conservative Network, a new grassroots movement supporting pragmatic, inclusive centre-right politics.
We often discuss One Nation Conservatism and think of it in the context of the grand corridors of Westminster, yet arguably its truest application belongs in local government and councils.
The principles of this tradition – balancing economic success with a sense of social duty – are not just national ideals but should be the bedrock of local governance. Councils play a pivotal role in shaping our day-to-day experiences and Councillors are often the first port of call for those seeking assistance. In an era of tightening belts, a One Nation approach to local governance offers a path to a cohesive and successful society, alongside a flourishing local economy.
This approach starts with a commitment to pragmatism over posturing and ideological purity, and a clear focus on delivery. We only need to look at the Reform-led Kent County Council, where we have seen how an ideology-driven approach has led to instability, defections and chaos.
In contrast, a centre-right, pragmatic model offers a structured and sustainable framework for decision-making that puts local communities at the heart of policy. For local authorities, this means optimising public services, ensuring strong outcomes, and prioritising interventions that address areas of greatest need, promote social cohesion and opportunity while maintaining long-term financial sustainability.
When we discuss the success of a local area, we really mean the strength of its social fabric and its ability to provide opportunity and success. Social cohesion is not a ‘nice-to-have’ luxury, rather it is the essential foundation of a prosperous community. When councils invest in multi-use community hubs or youth programs like Conservative-run Hillingdon Council have, they aren’t just ticking boxes but are supporting the community’s future. By investing in programmes such as this, young people are helped to find a sense of belonging and direction, through which we reduce the risk of them ‘falling off the rails’ and so reduce the long-term strain on social services, law enforcement, and the welfare system.
This social stability doesn’t just improve well-being; it provides the essential backdrop for an economy that works and grows. A One Nation economic plan balances market dynamism with a helping hand and understands that a local economy is only as strong as its workforce. By championing apprenticeships and programs like Tees Valley Apprenticeship Levy Matching Service, we can bridge the gap between local talent and local business. This isn’t state overreach. It’s about helping residents secure sustainable long-term employment, reduce their reliance on the state and be able to take personal responsibility for their life – the core of Conservatism.
In a digital age, councils have an ever-increasing amount of data available to them. Those who believe in traditional centre-right values, need to push back on the ever-increasing use of data for creating division and ideological point scoring. In particular, at a local level this impedes the delivery and creation of long-term and sustainable economic plans. A good example of how data is being used well is the Labour-ran Council in Manchester which has created employment and wellbeing dashboards to facilitate early identification of issues and allow these to be followed up with localised and effective early interventions.
However, success is not found solely in employment statistics or balanced spreadsheets, it is found in the pride residents have in their towns and cities. One Nation Conservatives recognise that residents must have pride in their communities and that it is essential for economic renewal. A row of boarded-up windows is not just an eyesore – it is a signal of institutional abandonment that erodes the social contract and puts off business from investing.
The One Nation Conservative Network – a new grassroots focused centre-right movement – is encouraged by and supports the direction of travel set out in local government reform towards more devolved powers and away from a ‘top-down’ approach. Therefore, it has been disheartening to see how the Labour government has allowed the uncertainty around local elections to overshadow and get in the way of the changes that are needed at local government.
The shift towards devolution is not merely an administrative adjustment, rather a recognition that local leaders are well positioned to solve their own unique challenges and grow local economies. Pragmatic pro-business Conservatives are often the best placed to utilise these devolved powers to drive forward a community. An excellent example is Sir Andy Street, who during his tenure as Mayor of the West Midlands, demonstrated that devolution delivers economic benefits. Under his Mayoralty, the region secured a landmark devolution deal with unprecedented control over housing and skills. In turn, through a pragmatic, business first approach he used this deal to allow him to focus on brownfield regeneration, where derelict industrial sites were unlocked for thousands of new homes, and to turnaround a failing skills system through localised control of the Adult Education Budget.
Beyond the UK, the Basque Country in Spain offers another example of the benefits of local authorities being given increased powers and fiscal autonomy. The regions leaders have used these devolved powers to pivot the region from a declining industrial base to a high-tech, innovation-led economy.
Ultimately, voters do not judge us by our ideological purity, they judge us by whether the bins are collected, the schools are improving, and the state of the local high street and economy. The success of the Party at general elections is built on local Conservative politicians achieving this.
Mark is a Conservative activist and Treasurer of One Nation Conservative Network, a new grassroots movement supporting pragmatic, inclusive centre-right politics.
We often discuss One Nation Conservatism and think of it in the context of the grand corridors of Westminster, yet arguably its truest application belongs in local government and councils.
The principles of this tradition – balancing economic success with a sense of social duty – are not just national ideals but should be the bedrock of local governance. Councils play a pivotal role in shaping our day-to-day experiences and Councillors are often the first port of call for those seeking assistance. In an era of tightening belts, a One Nation approach to local governance offers a path to a cohesive and successful society, alongside a flourishing local economy.
This approach starts with a commitment to pragmatism over posturing and ideological purity, and a clear focus on delivery. We only need to look at the Reform-led Kent County Council, where we have seen how an ideology-driven approach has led to instability, defections and chaos.
In contrast, a centre-right, pragmatic model offers a structured and sustainable framework for decision-making that puts local communities at the heart of policy. For local authorities, this means optimising public services, ensuring strong outcomes, and prioritising interventions that address areas of greatest need, promote social cohesion and opportunity while maintaining long-term financial sustainability.
When we discuss the success of a local area, we really mean the strength of its social fabric and its ability to provide opportunity and success. Social cohesion is not a ‘nice-to-have’ luxury, rather it is the essential foundation of a prosperous community. When councils invest in multi-use community hubs or youth programs like Conservative-run Hillingdon Council have, they aren’t just ticking boxes but are supporting the community’s future. By investing in programmes such as this, young people are helped to find a sense of belonging and direction, through which we reduce the risk of them ‘falling off the rails’ and so reduce the long-term strain on social services, law enforcement, and the welfare system.
This social stability doesn’t just improve well-being; it provides the essential backdrop for an economy that works and grows. A One Nation economic plan balances market dynamism with a helping hand and understands that a local economy is only as strong as its workforce. By championing apprenticeships and programs like Tees Valley Apprenticeship Levy Matching Service, we can bridge the gap between local talent and local business. This isn’t state overreach. It’s about helping residents secure sustainable long-term employment, reduce their reliance on the state and be able to take personal responsibility for their life – the core of Conservatism.
In a digital age, councils have an ever-increasing amount of data available to them. Those who believe in traditional centre-right values, need to push back on the ever-increasing use of data for creating division and ideological point scoring. In particular, at a local level this impedes the delivery and creation of long-term and sustainable economic plans. A good example of how data is being used well is the Labour-ran Council in Manchester which has created employment and wellbeing dashboards to facilitate early identification of issues and allow these to be followed up with localised and effective early interventions.
However, success is not found solely in employment statistics or balanced spreadsheets, it is found in the pride residents have in their towns and cities. One Nation Conservatives recognise that residents must have pride in their communities and that it is essential for economic renewal. A row of boarded-up windows is not just an eyesore – it is a signal of institutional abandonment that erodes the social contract and puts off business from investing.
The One Nation Conservative Network – a new grassroots focused centre-right movement – is encouraged by and supports the direction of travel set out in local government reform towards more devolved powers and away from a ‘top-down’ approach. Therefore, it has been disheartening to see how the Labour government has allowed the uncertainty around local elections to overshadow and get in the way of the changes that are needed at local government.
The shift towards devolution is not merely an administrative adjustment, rather a recognition that local leaders are well positioned to solve their own unique challenges and grow local economies. Pragmatic pro-business Conservatives are often the best placed to utilise these devolved powers to drive forward a community. An excellent example is Sir Andy Street, who during his tenure as Mayor of the West Midlands, demonstrated that devolution delivers economic benefits. Under his Mayoralty, the region secured a landmark devolution deal with unprecedented control over housing and skills. In turn, through a pragmatic, business first approach he used this deal to allow him to focus on brownfield regeneration, where derelict industrial sites were unlocked for thousands of new homes, and to turnaround a failing skills system through localised control of the Adult Education Budget.
Beyond the UK, the Basque Country in Spain offers another example of the benefits of local authorities being given increased powers and fiscal autonomy. The regions leaders have used these devolved powers to pivot the region from a declining industrial base to a high-tech, innovation-led economy.
Ultimately, voters do not judge us by our ideological purity, they judge us by whether the bins are collected, the schools are improving, and the state of the local high street and economy. The success of the Party at general elections is built on local Conservative politicians achieving this.