Professor Stephen Coleman

2024 General Election

Grieving and unheard, the British public has voted for change – in weariness more than in hope

— The 2024 General Election was defined by a public mood of loss and anger over deteriorating public services and political scandals. Voters felt neglected, seeking significant change amid fears of rising illiberalism.

Analysis

The fall of Boris Johnson: Any democracy should look to his case and ask if it is enabling machiavellian leaders.

— Boris Johnson is not the first world leader to prioritise his own ambitions over meaningful governance. But his fall is a good moment for reflection on how far a democracy is prepared to tolerate, and even reward Machiavellian tendencies.

Downing Street Parties

Downing Street Christmas party: Four key takeaways from the leaked Allegra Stratton video.

— The aesthetics of Allegra Stratton’s mock press conference made the revelations coming out of it so much worse.