Bevanism
Bevanism was the ideological argument for the
Bevanites, a movement on the centre left of the
Labour Party in the late
1950s and led by
Nye Bevan. The main points were:
- State Control of the "commanding heights" of the economy, as opposed to wholesale nationalisation.
- Social Liberalism.
- Lack of Dogma.
- A belief that "things can only get better"
- Respect for the Arts.
- A general radical feel.
- The ability to drop unpopular policies.
- Anti-fascism.
- Opposition to extremists in general.
John Reid, the current
Secretary of State for Health, regards New Labour as the natural heir of Bevanism.
see also: