This could be one of the most consequential elections for decades. This isn’t only because it will decide whether Brexit becomes a reality, but also because the election could mark a fundamental political realignment that could change British politics for good. The Tory route to this kind of realignment lies in capturing towns in the North and Midlands that have consistently voted Labour for almost a century.
Changing long-held and culturally ingrained voting habits will need a manifesto that goes well beyond Brexit and offers a plan for economic transformation of long-forgotten towns. Reshaping British politics will require the Tories to be brave, counterintuitive and eschew small-state orthodoxy.
Former industrial towns propelled the Brexit vote, which was another sign that these once “heartland” towns had abandoned Labour. The party is now dominated by a southern, hipster-identity “socialism”, utterly out of step with working-class voters in its old heartlands.
Once-safe Labour constituencies now dominate the crucial list of marginal seats. But falling out of love with Labour does not mean that they will automatically fall in love with the Tories, who must present a manifesto so ambitious and empowering that voters are motivated to change lifelong voting habits.
Conservatives must not repeat the mistake of thinking that Brexit alone will do this. That would only be learning half of a lesson, for these towns not only made clear their dissatisfaction with Brussels, but also with the economic status quo. The slogan “Take Back Control” resonated because these towns felt that they had lost economic direction over their own destiny and that prosperity was something that happened to other people in other places.
In my new book, Little Platoons, I talk about the experience of my home town of Consett in Co Durham, which went from being a world-leading steeltown to becoming a symbol of post-industrial decline and stagnation. These towns are often characterised by poor transport links, decaying community spaces, low skilled work, persistent health and social problems and a chronic brain drain of talented young people.
Little Platoons sets out a One Nation agenda of fundamental economic transformation. An ambitious infrastructure programme would deliver world-class road, rail and broadband links to towns, as well as cities. Accelerated devolution would give real power to communities, with maximum power and investment going to those towns in the greatest need of renewal. A radical industrial strategy would seek to re-industrialise many towns. Revolutionary education reform would boost vocational education in partnership with employers.
This election is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Conservatives to redraw the political map. They must seize it.
Little Platoons is published by Biteback @DJSkelton
