Why are populists winning? Disillusionment, delivery and the future of democracy

Subscribe to the Policy Institute mailing list for invites to future events In 2024, two billion people went to the polls, with populist movements making significant gains across many Western democracies. From the return of President Donald Trump in the United States, to the surge of Marine Le Pen in France, to the electoral breakthroughs of Reform UK, established political systems are now facing mounting pressure. As voters across the UK prepare to head to the polls, these trends feel increasingly close to home. Is this peak populism or populism’s tipping point? Disillusionment with traditional parties has grown alongside a new information environment that rewards outrage and erodes trust – in institutions, in expertise, and in the idea that the system still delivers for ordinary people. So how did we end up here? Is Viktor Orban’s defeat the beginning of the turning of the tide? What does research tell us about who is turning to populist movements, and why? And what might this shift mean for the future of democratic governance, policymaking and public services? Join our panel ahead of the vote to discuss these questions and more.