Of course the dramatic changes in voter behaviour between 20 and then 20 tell us that voters are more independent – less than half now feel attached to any one political party – and more individualistic.įar fewer feel tied to the class, religious or other loyalties that predominated in the past – and by admitting that Conservative switchers in the North have only lent him their votes, perhaps Boris Johnson himself recognises the truth of at least some of this. It is tempting for the victors to conclude that a big Conservative majority puts electoral politics on hold for another five years and that the UK will soon be settling down to a period of stability.īut, in fact, the shift in votes that gave the Conservatives an 80-seat majority is not a sign of a country at ease with itself or with its Government, nor does it herald a new-found unity, nor even signal an emerging national consensus. My argument today is that the United Kingdom will have to change fundamentally – from top to bottom – so that Scotland does not secede and so that our regions feel fully respected in itįor after two divisive referendums in 20, and three bitter and tempestuous general elections in four years, we have to recognise the outcome of 2019 as a threat to the very existence of the United Kingdom.īoris Johnson will soon discover that he has no choice – either we remake Britain or we risk losing it.Īll parties need to present a positive alternative to nationalism that can reunite Britain and heal our deep divisions.Ĭosmetic changes such as moving the Lords 200 miles north or sending the Commons around the regions will not work in themselves.
Get gordon get it done full#
Here is the full text of Gordon Brown’s speech: In a speech at Westminster, the former Prime Minister said competing and divisive nationalisms are now a serious threat to the radical option: Remake the UK or risk losing it for ever.īrown urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to radically reform the UK, suggesting a Forum of the Nations and Regions, as a forerunner of new second chamber and a Council of the North and a Council of the Midlands.
Britain must fundamentally change from top to bottom so the Union can survive and all regions and nations thrive, Gordon Brown warned today.