UCL Uncovering Politics

• The 2024 UK General Election

  The 2024 UK General Election was nothing short of exceptional. Labour achieved one of the largest majorities in the history of the House of Commons — yet on the lowest vote share ever recorded for a winning party. Meanwhile, the Conservatives suffered their most devastating defeat in modern political history.In this episode, we unpack the seismic shifts that led to this remarkable result. Why did the vote fragment across so many parties? What drove the electorate’s choices in this cycle? And what happened to the underlying dynamics of voting behavior?To explore these questions, we turn to a special issue of The Political Quarterly, our partner journal, which dives into the election’s implications and causes in depth.Joining us are three distinguished contributors to that issue:Professor Jane Green – Professor of Political Science and British Politics, University of OxfordProfessor Paula Surridge – Professor of Political Sociology, University of BristolMarta Miori– Research Officer on British Electoral Behaviour, PhD candidate at the University of ManchesterTogether, they provide expert insights into both the immediate drivers of the 2024 result and the longer-term transformations reshaping UK politics.Mentioned in this episode:Miori, M. and Green, J. (2025), The Most Disproportionate UK Election: How the Labour Party Doubled its Seat Share with a 1.6-Point Increase in Vote Share in 2024. The Political Quarterly, 96: 37-64.Surridge, P. (2025), Values in the Valence Election: Fragmentation and the 2024 General Election. The Political Quarterly, 96: 26-36. UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

  --------  

  43:51

  --------

  43:51
• Should We Have  A Human Right Against Discrimination?

  In this episode of UCL Uncovering Politics, we explore one of the most foundational questions in human rights theory: Is there a human right against discrimination?While many of us instinctively view discrimination based on attributes like sexual orientation as inherently wrong, not all human rights theorists agree that this wrong is best understood as a violation of a human right. Some argue that discrimination, though harmful, doesn't necessarily fall under the scope of human rights protections.Joining us to unpack this complex debate is Dr. Saladin Meckled-Garcia, Associate Professor in Human Rights and Political Philosophy at UCL's Department of Political Science. Dr. Meckled-Garcia presents a powerful case for why the right against discrimination should be considered a core human right — and offers a fresh philosophical grounding for why such rights matter.Mentioned in this episode:The Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Human Rights, edited by Jesse Tomalty, Kerri Woods. Chapter 21: "Is there a human right against discrimination?" Saladin Meckled-Garcia UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

  --------  

  40:20

  --------

  40:20
• Can The Law Fix Structural Injustice?

  When we see injustice in the world, our instinct is often to look for someone to blame. We might point to a corrupt official, an unjust law, or individuals acting with harmful intent. But some of the most persistent and damaging injustices of our time, including climate change, homelessness, systemic racism and gender inequality, do not have a single perpetrator. These are what philosopher Iris Marion Young described as structural injustices. They are not caused by individual malice, but by the ordinary functioning of our social, political and economic systems.At first glance, this kind of injustice might seem beyond the reach of the law. There is no obvious villain to prosecute and no specific rule to repeal. But what if we have misunderstood what the law is capable of? What if legal systems are not just passive frameworks but active players in how injustice takes shape?In this episode, we speak with George Letsas, Professor of the Philosophy of Law at University College London. He presents a powerful and original argument. The law, he suggests, is often implicated in structural injustice. But it is also one of the most promising tools we have to address it.Mentioned in this episode:Structural injustice and the law, free download from UCL Discovery UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

  --------  

  35:12

  --------

  35:12
• Should Politicians Always Be Truthful?

  Most of us want our politicians to tell the truth. In fact, research from UCL and beyond confirms that honesty is consistently ranked as one of the top values citizens expect from their elected representatives.But is that expectation realistic? Political insiders often argue that politics is a rough game – a competitive arena where playing fair can be a disadvantage. If truthfulness puts you behind, does it still have a place in modern democracy?In this episode, we question whether we’ve been too quick to abandon truth as an essential political ideal. What do we lose when we let go of it? And is the cost greater than we realise?To dig into these questions, we’re joined by Professor Richard Bellamy, Professor of Political Science at UCL and co-author of a new article arguing that truthfulness isn't just desirable—it’s foundational to democracy itself.Mentioned in this episode:‘Truthfulness, pluralism and the ethics of democratic representation’, by Richard Bellamy and Sandra Kröger. In the British Journal of Politics and International Relations. UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

  --------  

  39:07

  --------

  39:07
• Do Religious Schools Hinder Children's Autonomy?

  Today, we’re diving into the complex and often contentious world of religious schools. Are they a threat to social cohesion and tolerance, or are they simply an expression of parental rights and freedom of religion? Some argue that religious schools may indoctrinate children or isolate communities, while others insist parents should be free to raise their children in accordance with their deepest values — including their faith.So who's right? And what should this mean for public policy — especially in terms of how states regulate and fund religious education?To help us think about these questions, we're joined by Professor Adam Swift, a leading philosopher of education and parenting, and co-author of a new book exploring these very issues. Mentioned in this episode:Clayton, M., Mason, A., Swift, A. with Wareham, R. (2024). How To Think About Religious Schools: Principles and Policies. UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

  --------  

  36:15

  --------

  36:15

More Government podcasts

Trending Government podcasts

About UCL Uncovering Politics

UCL Uncovering Politics: Podcasts in Family