Arundells welcomed a full audience to the White Hart Hotel last week for an evening with Sir John Curtice, Britain’s leading psephologist and one of the country’s foremost political scientists.
In a wide-ranging and thought-provoking talk, Sir John explored whether Britain’s traditional two-party political system can survive in an era of growing political fragmentation, populism, and declining party loyalty.
Drawing on recent polling and electoral trends, he examined the pressures currently facing both Labour and the Conservatives, including Labour’s challenges in government and the wider issue of rebuilding public trust in politics. He also reflected on how voting behaviour has shifted over recent decades, moving away from traditional class-based loyalties towards a more complex mix of age, education, values, and geography.
A key theme of the evening was the impact of Britain’s “first past the post” electoral system. Sir John explained how the system can produce disproportionate outcomes in an increasingly multi-party political landscape, and considered how alternative voting systems used elsewhere might reshape British politics.
Sir John, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and President of the British Polling Council, is widely recognised for his expert election analysis and regular appearances on major election broadcasts.
Arundells’ programme of political events continues on Friday 5 June with Sir Vince Cable, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Speaking at the White Hart Hotel, Sir Vince will discuss the global shift in political and economic power explored in his latest book, Eclipsing the West: China, India and the Forging of a New World.
The book examines how the rise of China and India is reshaping global economics, technology, and international relations and what this means for the future influence of the West.
Photographs by John Rose.
