Populism has gained momentum worldwide – one-quarter of Western democracies are now governed by authoritarian populists. In the UK, the traditional mainstream parties now trail in the polls. In last month’s by-election, Labour came third in one of its safest seats, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats failed to secure the 5 per cent needed to get their deposits back. While increased disillusionment is rooted partly in Britain’s long living standards slowdown, the growing voter bases for Reform UK and the Green Party are far from homogeneous. So is this peak populism? Or the populist tipping point? How can mainstream parties address the rise of populism, and what might a populist government in Britain look like? In his new book Why Populists Are Winning and How to Beat Them, British Labour Party Politician and the MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North Liam Byrne draws on original research from across Europe and America to explore why populism has seduced voters worldwide. Liam sets out populism’s ‘five tribes’ – and which of these voters can still be won back by the centre. Drawing connections between rising inequality and the growing appeal of populism, Liam sets out a game-plan to tackle the populist surge. The Resolution Foundation is hosting an in-person and interactive webinar to debate key questions – and answers – raised by Liam’s book. He will be joined by Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation Ruth Curtice, alongside David Guake and Gaby Hinsliff, to unpack this timely call to action. The event will be open for people to physically attend, with refreshments served from 5.00pm. The event will also be broadcast live via YouTube and the Resolution Foundation website. Viewers will be able to submit questions to the panel before and during the event via Slido.
