Thatcher's People

The British Nationality Act 1981

Bibliographic Data

ID11448704
AuthorsDavid Dixon (0000-0002-4753-7441, corresponding author)
Year1983
Volume10
Issue2
Pages161
Publication date1983-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Law and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0263-323X • E-ISSN: 1467-6478
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/1410230
OpenAlexW2313098297
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited6

presentation of itself as a party of nation rather than of a class has been a persistent theme in Conservatism: its electoral successes have depended upon appeals beyond its class base. However, appeal to nation has had very different, even contradictory, meanings at various times.[2] In particular, when post-1945 One Nation Tories contrasted sectional and national interest, they purported to reject ideology. A prominent exponent of this view recently argued that The Tories can only remain a national party if they remain free from infection. Ideology a threat to national unity, and as such abhorrent to Conservatives.[3] This counter-position of ideology and national unity is now itself rejected by dominant forces in Conservative Party. Scorning social and economic policies associated with One Nation Toryism, neo-conservatism has openly espoused ideology and committed itself to fighting and winning the battle of ideas.[4] In this battle, populist appeal to nation, people and race has been a vital and effective weapon. It. is not surprising, therefore, to find Thatcher Government concerning itself with defining nation and its people in new nationality legislation. This article seeks to locate British Nationality Act 1981 in context of debate on Thatcherism, and argues that redefinition of citizenship effected by this legislation constitutes a vital but hitherto neglected feature of Thatcherist politics. various contributions made by Labour Party, Home Office and Enoch Powell to production of Act are also discussed. Concentration on level of political ideology should not be taken as suggesting that nationalism and racism are merely ideological phenomena.[5] A comprehensive account of relationship between Thatcherism and 1981 Act would have to show how political ideologies discussed below connect with long-term reconstitution of British economy and changing role of black labour within it; in other words, to discuss race and racism as an integral part of British capitalism's organic crisis.[6] While intention here is more restricted, no apology is made

Immigration · Nationality · Political science · History · Irish and British Studies · Law · Political and Economic history of UK and US

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