Lifting the Lid with Stuart Donald

In this episode, Fiona and Marlene chat with Stuart Donald about his landmark research paper, "Lifting the Lid on Britain's Pressure Cooker Politics: How Inequality and Neoliberal Capture Broke First Past the Post." Stuart reveals how the UK's First-Past-The-Post voting system is directly linked to the chronic inequality crisis we see across Britain today. Drawing on 40 years of data on regional deprivation and voting trends, this groundbreaking paper connects Margaret Thatcher's accentuated Parliamentary majorities of the 1980s, the rise of neoliberalism, and the structural inequalities that have made the UK one of the most unequal nations among its Western European peers. Key topics covered: 00:02:10 UK worst inequality compared to Euroean peers 00:03:16 Neoliberal capture in FPTP countries 00:07:20 The Barker Report - Labour's Dilemma 00:11:04 The Middle Class Revolt 00:15:44 Downward Mobility and the Brexit vote 00:17:46 Marginality more important than Need 00:18:28 Orphaning the Have-Nots 00:24:36 Andy Burnham and PR 00:29:00 Farage's new power base 00:32:59 Looming effects of the climate emergency 00:37:45 Individualism - the Road to Hell 00:40:18 What about Scotland? 00:50:08 The Only Conclusion Stuart's follow-up to his previous paper, The Temper Trap, makes a compelling case that Britain's current crises didn't happen by accident—they're structural. If you want to understand the roots of regional inequality, political polarization, and populism in Britain, this conversation is essential listening. Read the full paper here: https://www.compassonline.org.uk/publications/lifting-the-lid-on-britains-pressure-cooker-politics-how-inequality-and-neoliberal-capture-broke-first-past-the-post/ #electoralreform #inequality #neoliberalcapture The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe! Get in touch: Email:  [email protected]  Bluesky: @scottishindypod Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?   https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.