Why did Partygate Make Voters so Angry? episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 13, 2025 · 24 MIN

Why did Partygate Make Voters so Angry?

from Nudge · host Phill Agnew

In 2020, the UK government told its citizens not to meet in groups of more than two.  Despite this rule, the UK government were caught holding lockdown-breaking parties, which involved the Prime Minister.  This ultimately led to Boris Johnson’s resignation in July 2022, but why?  Why did this specific scandal make voters so angry?  Today, with the Chief Behavioural Scientist at the Behavioural Insights Team, Michael Hallsworth, we uncover the psychology behind hypocrisy.  ---  Read the Hypocrisy Trap: https://amzn.to/47vhxbj Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ --- Today’s sources:  Alicke, M., Gordon, E., & Rose, D. (2013). Hypocrisy: What counts? Philosophical Psychology, 26(5), 673–701. Laurent, S. M., & Clark, B. A. (2019). What makes hypocrisy? Folk definitions, attitude/behavior combinations, attitude strength, and private/public distinctions. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 41(2), 104–121. Powell, C. A. J., & Smith, R. H. (2012). Schadenfreude caused by the exposure of hypocrisy in others. Self and Identity, 12(4), 413–431. Wagner, T., Lutz, R. J., & Weitz, B. A. (2009). Corporate hypocrisy: Overcoming the threat of inconsistent corporate social responsibility perceptions. Journal of Marketing, 73(6), 77–91.

In 2020, the UK government told its citizens not to meet in groups of more than two.  Despite this rule, the UK government were caught holding lockdown-breaking parties, which involved the Prime Minister.  This ultimately led to Boris Johnson’s resignation in July 2022, but why?  Why did this specific scandal make voters so angry?  Today, with the Chief Behavioural Scientist at the Behavioural Insights Team, Michael Hallsworth, we uncover the psychology behind hypocrisy.  ---  Read the Hypocrisy Trap: https://amzn.to/47vhxbj Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ --- Today’s sources:  Alicke, M., Gordon, E., & Rose, D. (2013). Hypocrisy: What counts? Philosophical Psychology, 26(5), 673–701. Laurent, S. M., & Clark, B. A. (2019). What makes hypocrisy? Folk definitions, attitude/behavior combinations, attitude strength, and private/public distinctions. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 41(2), 104–121. Powell, C. A. J., & Smith, R. H. (2012). Schadenfreude caused by the exposure of hypocrisy in others. Self and Identity, 12(4), 413–431. Wagner, T., Lutz, R. J., & Weitz, B. A. (2009). Corporate hypocrisy: Overcoming the threat of inconsistent corporate social responsibility perceptions. Journal of Marketing, 73(6), 77–91.

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Why did Partygate Make Voters so Angry?

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In 2020, the UK government told its citizens not to meet in groups of more than two.  Despite this rule, the UK government were caught holding lockdown-breaking parties, which involved the Prime Minister.  This ultimately led to Boris Johnson’s...

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