While questions surrounding constitutional reforms for England have already disrupted Labour's progress in the wake of Scotland's vote, the Tories should be 'more cautious and thoughtful than populist and gung-ho' on this thorny issue.
Despite tensions in his outlook over the years, E.P. Thompson's works represent a useful reference point for contemporary debate on progressive patriotism and the nation.
Re-examining the development of the New Left(s), Michael Kenny draws on the work of EP Thompson to set out how patriotism and tradition can be reconciled with a critical and progressive social model. There is plenty for 'One Nation Labour' to take onboard.
The Burkean appeal to the organic 'little platoon' implicit in the Big Society idea rests uneasily with the Coalition's aims even if it undermines Labour's claims to represent communities
