On Monday 1st February Stephen Kinnock spoke to the Young Fabians, setting out his vision of building a new nation. In his speech, he argued that the Labour Party must first understand why it lost the election, and from this lesson build an economic narrative that is credible and reforming.

Kinnock also called for Labour to be the party of manufacturing, highlighting that the "dramatic decline of our manufacturing sector is the root cause of the structural weaknesses in the British economy".  Arguing that manufacturing provides a more even distribution of high-quality, high-pay jobs than our service sector.

On the difficult issue of constitutional reform, Kinnock was bold and direct, stating that "Labour must be the party of radical constitutional reform. With an agenda to decentralise and gives the regions of England representation, fiscal powers and obligations comparable to those of the devolved nations."

Reflecting on his pride of being Welsh, British and European, Kinnock put forward a challenge for the Labour Party to become the party of patriotism. "Labour’s progressive patriotism can re-invigorate our British identity, and from that base enable our country to stand tall in the world, as an actively and constructively engaged partner in the NATO, the UN, and in Europe."

Following his speech, Kinnock entered into conversation with Martin Edobor, Young Fabians Chair. After which he took part in a robust question and answer session with attendees.

The Young Fabians have been intellectually inspired by the vision set out by Stephen Kinnock in his pamphlet A New Nation and we highly recommend you read it.