Conclusion

Abstract

In a speech to mark the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Labour Party’s historic 1945 general election landslide, Tony Blair claimed the task confronting his party in July 1995 was ‘nothing less than national renewal’. This in turn would require ‘economic renewal, social renewal and political renewal’ (Blair, 1995, cited in Blair, 1996d: 20). For New Labour to once more become ‘“the people’s party”’ capable of leading ‘a governing consensus’, it would have to learn the three key lessons of 1945. These were the need for ‘a clear sense of national purpose’; the need ‘to win the battle of ideas’; and the need ‘to mobilise all people of progressive mind around a party always outward-looking, seeking new supporters and members’ (ibid.: 13).