Can Britain’s two-party system survive?

Democracy under threat is BRLSI’s brand new talks programme taking place between now and December 2026.

Whatever your thoughts about the pressures on our current democracies, BRLSI’s Democracy Under Threat series invites you to pause and take stock as we collectively take the long view through history and the wealth of political thinking which underpins our long held democratic systems and institutions.

But what of our domestic politics? Post-war British politics has for the most part seen power alternate between majority Conservative and Labour governments. However, at the 2024 election the combined level of support for those two parties fell to its lowest level in a hundred years, and a record number of seats was won by third parties and independents.

Since then support for the two parties has fallen yet further, with as many as five political parties now enjoying significant support. Political scientist John Curtice, who many of you may recognise for his work for the BBC on election night, will analyse the reasons behind the change and assess the prospects for the future of British politics.

Professor John Curtice, University of Strathclyde

To learn more about Democracy Under Threat and the exciting range of speakers coming up as part of the programme, don’t forget to follow our Democracy Under Threat Webpage: https://www.brlsi.org/democracyunderthreat/