Since the First World War, British politics have been dominated by the Conservative and Labour parties, making Britain a classic example of two-party competition. Yet this long-standing pattern has come under increasing strain in recent decades. From political scandals and growing electoral volatility to Brexit and the emergence of new political challengers, a series of developments has contributed to the emergence of a more fragmented and unstable party system. This seminar asks whether British politics is undergoing a period of crisis, or merely one of transformation. It first examines the causes and implications of Britain’s transition from two-partyism towards multipartism. It then focuses on the results of the 2024 general election and developments since, particularly the changing fortunes of smaller parties such as the Liberal Democrats, and explores what this transformation might mean for the future of British party politics. 

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