The Not So Odd Couple: Margaret Thatcher and One Nation Conservatism

This article explores the relationship between Margaret Thatcher and One Nation Conservatism, and suggests that they were not such an odd couple. Though not a One Nation Conservative herself, Thatcher always viewed One Nation Conservatism in terms of patriotism rather than paternalism. This was an equally potent tradition of One Nation thought which could also be traced back to Disraeli. Thatcher recognised this and she was quite prepared to exploit the alternative Disraelian ideal for her own purposes. One Nation Conservatism, conceived as a form of patriotism, enabled Thatcher to domesticate the ideas of the American-led New Right: it was one nation of property owners which she wanted to create in 1980s Britain.