The Real Reasons Populism Is Taking Over

In this in-depth episode of The Rest Is Politics, Alastair Campbell dives into the root causes of the global rise of populism, featuring a candid conversation with Labour MP Liam Byrne, author of 'Why Populists Are Winning and What We Can Do To Beat Them.' The discussion centers on how the 2008 financial crisis shattered the promise of upward mobility, leading to stagnant wages, eroded social capital, and a deepening sense of dispossession—particularly in working-class communities. Byrne argues that populism thrives not just on anger toward elites, but on a profound loss of hope: people feel they’ve been left behind, their futures dimmed, and their communities in decline. The episode unpacks how nostalgia for a mythologized past—especially the local high street, community services, and a sense of belonging—becomes a powerful emotional lever for populist leaders like Trump, Farage, and Johnson, who offer simplistic solutions and scapegoats rather than real policy. Campbell and Byrne also explore how mainstream politics has failed to counter this narrative with a compelling, optimistic vision for the future, instead defaulting to technocratic language that alienates voters. The conversation concludes with a call for progressive forces to rebuild trust by addressing economic inequality, overburdening small businesses, and reclaiming the language of hope and collective progress.