Combatting Populism in Europe: Could the UK Be the Exception that Proves the Rule

We are kidding ourselves if we think that Europe’s ‘mainstream’ political parties can get together to tackle their populist and extremist challengers.  The reason is simple: the implications of populist radical right success are not the same for the centre-right as they are for the centre-left.  Interestingly, one of the exceptions to this rule could be the UK, although whether or not the Conservative and Labour Parties realise this – especially given the quality of the immigration debate in the country’s print media – is a moot point.