Brexit, the failure of the British political class, and the case for greater diversity in UK political recruitment
Lees, C. ORCID: 0000-0002-3517-2211 (2021).
Brexit, the failure of the British political class, and the case for greater diversity in UK political recruitment.
British Politics, 16(1),
pp. 36-57.
doi: 10.1057/s41293-020-00136-6
Abstract
Britain’s exit from the European Union on the 31st of January 2020 was the culmination of what was arguably the second major failure of statecraft by the British political class this century, following the UK’s participation in the 2003 Iraq invasion. Drawing on elite theory as well as research into group behaviour, identity diversity and cognitive diversity, and decision-making and organisational performance, the article examines key stages of the Brexit process. The article argues that failures at each stage are attributable to a degree of ‘groupthink’ and ‘group polarisation’ linked to the relatively homogenous nature of the British political class and the structural attributes of British government. It goes on to advocate greater diversity in political recruitment and fundamental reform of modes and structures of British government.
Publication Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41293-020-00136-6 |
Publisher Keywords: | Brexit, Groupthink, Group polarisation, Identity diversity, Cognitive diversity, Political recruitment, Elite theory |
Subjects: | J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) |
Departments: | School of Policy & Global Affairs |
SWORD Depositor: |
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