The Constitution Unit

Riding the Populist Wave: the UK Conservatives and the Constitution

Episode Summary

This seminar reflects on the international trends of populism, with a particular interest in how they are affecting, and may continue to affect, the UK.

Episode Notes

Professor Tim Bale’s book, 'Riding the Populist Wave', highlights how mainstream right-wing parties across Europe – including the UK Conservatives – have faced challenges responding to electoral pressure from the populist radical right. How such parties respond may have important implications for everyday politics, and raise concerns about the robustness of constitutional protections, and even of liberal democracy itself. This seminar reflects on the international trends, with a particular interest in how they are affecting, and may continue to affect, the UK.

Speakers:

Chair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit

Read: Riding the populist wave: Europe's mainstream right crisis