1: Populism, democratic backsliding, and public policy in the UK -- 2: The historical roots of Conservative authoritarianism -- 3: Opposition to the Conservative agenda: defining “the blob” -- 5: Policy tools and culture wars: the Conservative fight against ‘woke’ -- 6: Government policy and the attack on fundamental rights -- 7: The Conservative agenda and breaking the rules: public spending, immigration policy and the ministerial code -- 8: Conclusion: A populist agenda and implications for British democracy.

This book examines the rise of illiberalism within the British Conservative Party during the last few decades. It traces how the party’s political agenda has become increasingly dominated by populist and nativist policy positions since the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union in 2016, and the ways in which this has led to growing concerns over democratic backsliding. Moving beyond debates over the ideology and governing philosophy of the Conservative Party, this book focuses on the specific policy tools it has employed to carry out its political agenda. This includes changes to public spending and taxation, law and regulation, public management, and institutional reform. Bridging the gap between populism studies, UK politics and public policy, the book throws important light on the current state of British democracy, at a time when concerns over the growth of illiberalism and authoritarianism in democratic countries is high. Sean Kippin is Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Stirling, UK.