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AbstractThe last decade has seen mounting evidence of intimidation in British public life involving threatening behaviour towards and the abuse of public figures, especially MPs and parliamentary candidates. The killings of two MPs (Jo Cox and Sir David Amess) have highlighted the seriousness of this development for the health of British democracy. The article examines the problem using the Committee on Standards in Public Life's 2017 report, Intimidation in Public Life. It explores the possible causes of the decline in civility in British public life, and examines possible remedies for addressing the problem. It argues that the decline of civility and the coarsening of political life reflect a multifaced problem and that, in addition to new measures, such as providing MPs with enhanced security and strengthening protections against online harms, wider long‐term changes to our political culture are necessary to promote civility and tolerance and to foster values that reinforce liberal democracy.

AbstractThis article analyses the changing character of the contemporary Conservative Party. It argues that the period since the Brexit referendum has seen the creation of a new politics in which voter alignments have shifted, and that the experience of the Covid pandemic has created a new agenda of issues facing government. Taken together, these developments constitute formidable challenges to the Conservative Party as it seeks to maintain its electoral support and its ability to manage the politics of power.

AbstractThis article examines Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech in relation to the Conservative party. Powell's speech created an additional challenge to a Conservative party already weakened by the loss of the 1964 and 1966 elections and by the failure of the newly elected leader, Edward Heath, to impress his authority decisively on the party. Powell had some parliamentary support but his real following was concentrated in the Conservative grass roots. Powell lost the support of the liberal‐minded Shadow Cabinet; but after 1968 the Conservatives nevertheless moved to the right on the issue, especially after Mrs. Thatcher became leader in 1975. His speech has cast a long shadow as the party has sought to modernise in more recent times and to appeal to a more racially diverse electorate.