Tribal Politics: How Brexit Divided Britain
DPIR Professor of Politics, James Tilley and Professor Sara Hobolt (LSE) are launching their new book, Tribal Politics: How Brexit Divided Britain, at an event in London this week marking ten years since the UK’s referendum on membership of the European Union.
The book examines how the Brexit referendum reshaped British politics by crystallising two powerful and enduring political identities: Leavers and Remainers. Drawing on a decade of research, the authors explore how these identities continue to influence everyday life, political perceptions, and voting behaviour long after the referendum result.
Tilley explains that the referendum acted as a critical trigger for the emergence of new political identities—identities that have not faded but instead have become embedded within British society.
At a time of heightened political volatility and voter realignment, Professor Tilley’s work focuses on how citizens think about politics, how attitudes are formed, and how social and political change shapes democratic outcomes. His research has been central to understanding why political divisions endure and how they evolve over time.
As Professor of Politics and Fellow of Jesus College, Tilley works closely with his co-author Professor Sara Hobolt to examine issues of inequality, identity, and public opinion. Together, their research sheds light on the mechanisms through which political divisions deepen and become resistant to resolution.
The book draws on extensive surveys, experiments, and analysis of political parties to provide authoritative, evidence-based insights into Brexit’s long-term impact on British politics.
Tribal Politics offers a compelling new theory of how issue-based political identities emerge, polarise societies and persist even after the original political question has been resolved.
