Immigration Replaces Left–Right Politics

Updated: 2026.01.07 22D ago 1 sources
A new academic study plus current polls suggest the classic class‑based left–right cleavage in Britain is being eclipsed by an immigration‑centered divide: older, less‑educated, culturally conservative voters align with anti‑immigration blocs while younger, educated, liberal voters align elsewhere, producing fragmentation and insurgent parties. — If immigration has become the principal structuring cleavage, campaign strategy, legislative coalitions, and policy tradeoffs (welfare, border enforcement, integration) will be reorganized across the UK and provide a model for other Western democracies.

Sources

Immigration is the New Brexit: What a fascinating New Study Reveals about the future of UK Politics
Matt Goodwin 2026.01.07 100% relevant
Griffiths et al. 2026 study cited by Matt Goodwin and new YouGov polling showing Reform/insurgent strength and collapse of Labour/Tory combined support.
← Back to All Ideas