Levelling Up: A Missed Conservative Opportunity

The Conservative Party's Pivotal Moment

As the Conservative Party gathers in Manchester for its annual conference, it faces an existential crisis. With dwindling support, the party must confront its lack of a coherent message for voters. Once vibrant, the party now stands at a crossroads, pondering its future without a clear roadmap ahead. This is a moment that demands introspection and strategic recalibration.

One glaring missed opportunity has been the failure to advance social mobility via the "levelling up" agenda introduced under Boris Johnson's government. This initiative, initially filled with promise, fell short as the administration struggled to transform aspirational rhetoric into actionable policy. For two years following the 2019 election, instead of meaningful progress, the term itself became a source of confusion and debate.

The True Meaning of 'Levelling Up'

Before the concept became a slogan, I had already articulated what "levelling up" meant during my tenure as Education Secretary. I coined the term as part of our commitment to social mobility, focusing on enabling equality of opportunity. Levelling up is not about redistributing existing opportunities but enriching them for those who have been systematically left out.

“Talent is spread evenly across our country, but opportunity is not.”

This mantra highlights the need for targeted investment in education and business to nurture potential across demographics. The idea was straightforward: to create pathways for underprivileged communities to access the same opportunities as their more affluent counterparts.

Boris's Retrofit of a Vision

Under Johnson, however, what did "levelling up" become? A half-hearted assortment of initiatives: towns fund allocations for investing in decorations and upgrades, rather than strategic development aimed at creating potential. While a white paper was finally launched nearly three years into his leadership, it predominantly recycled old policies under the new label.

We witnessed a drastic reduction in the broader social mobility agenda, leaving untouched critical reforms that could have addressed economic policy, tax structures, and educational advancement. For many, particularly among the working class, the higher education sector remains a beacon of hope and opportunity—something that has waned under recent political scrutiny.

Linking Aspiration to Opportunity

For any government, the ability to inspire aspiration is crucial. A credible connection between effort and reward must be established. If the public feels that hard work can lead to success, then optimism flourishes. For instance, research has revealed that young people in designated opportunity areas, initiated by my DfE policies, emerged significantly more optimistic about their futures than peers in areas lacking such initiatives.

The Conservative government's decision in September 2022 to shut down these opportunity areas starkly conflicts with the notion of social equality. This decision was not just a policy failure; it was a blatant disregard for communities striving for a better tomorrow.

A Future Beyond Rhetoric

As opportunity rhetoric now shifts to a Labour government, the focus on "breaking down barriers to opportunity" emerges, promising a fresh narrative yet similarly devoid of concrete solutions. Meanwhile, Reform UK offers yet another iteration with its own language, such as "reindustrialisation," yet neither party has offered a systematic policy agenda dedicated to resolving social mobility issues.

For voters, this may feel like the same story presented in varying formats. With established disparities in opportunity, citizens are left unimpressed with mere repetition.

Conclusion: A Call for Genuine Change

If Labour and Reform UK are to avoid the Conservatives' steep decline, they must learn from past mistakes. The commitment to social mobility cannot merely reside in slogans; it needs to translate into substantial, effective policies. The reality is stark: Britain's chronic social mobility challenges require immediate, comprehensive solutions. Only by addressing these concerns head-on can any party hope to inspire a populace desperate for improvement.

Whoever emerges with a genuine plan for social mobility will not only stand to win at the polls but will also have the unique opportunity to reshape the very fabric of our society, fostering equity and hope for generations to come.

• Justine Greening is a former Conservative minister and was MP for Putney from 2005 to 2019.