Re-moralising Britain?
10 Years of New Labour: Faith, Morals and Governance
University of Manchester, May 17th-18th 2007
Supported by The British Academy
Confirmed speakers:
- John Atherton (William Temple Foundation)
- Mark Chapman (Cuddesdon, Oxford)
- Anthony Giddens (LSE)
- Elaine Graham (The University of Manchester)
- Will Hutton (The Work Foundation)
- Paul Vallely (The Independent)
- Jess Steele (BURA)
- Gerry Stoker (The University of Southampton)
Timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Blair's appointment as Prime Minister, this international conference investigates the moral basis of Blairism and the 'New Labour' project. On seeking office and in coming to power, New Labour presented its vision for Britain in moral terms: moral rectitude; governance with integrity; a renewed ethical engagement in foreign policy; a commitment to social inclusion ( Britain as a 'community'); education as a path to moral and economic development; and developing partnerships with the Market in the service of social justice. During the course of the New Labour administration, new moral themes have been introduced: responsibility and respect, the merits of local government and self-governance, and the moral imperative to confront threats of 'terror' from abroad. Throughout, New Labour has drawn on the language of faith and morals yet has done so cautiously.
Drawing together speakers from a range of disciplines and commitments, this interdisciplinary conference offers a reckoning of this New Labour decade. What is the nature of this re-moralising? What are its sources? How effective has it been and what difference has this moral discourse made? What can be learned from Blairism about the relationship between faith, morals and governance?
- Draft Programme (PDF)
- Watch a windows media video of Elaine Graham (University of Manchester)
- Watch a windows media video of Anthony Giddens (LSE)
- Watch a windows media video of Will Hutton (The Work foundation)
Conference Venue
The venue for the conference is the Chancellors Hotel and Conference Centre at The University of Manchester. To view its location, and to see directions to the conference centre, please click here.
More Information
The conference will begin at 10 am on Thursday 17th and close at 4 pm on Friday 18th May, 2007.
For queries regarding making a booking, please contact Janet Meredith, conference administrator janet.meredith@manchester.ac.uk
For questions about the conference, please contact Peter Scott peter.scott@manchester.ac.uk 0161 275 3064