Ft Politics

Many ‘red wall’ constituencies across northern England, the Midlands and north Wales switched from Labour to the Conservatives in the 2019 general election partly thanks to then prime minister Boris Johnson’s energetic pledge to revitalise struggling communities outside the south-east. It was a seismic shock to Britain’s political landscape but can the Tories hold on to these seats in May’s local and mayoral elections and in an upcoming general election? Host Lucy Fisher, the FT’s Whitehall editor, discusses with colleagues Jim Pickard and Stephen Bush, and is joined by Luke Tryl, the UK director of More in Common, a strategy and communications consultancy focused on explaining public opinion to policymakers.Want more? Free links:Will the ‘red wall’ reshape British politics again?UK’s electoral landscape swings into volatilityOnly 10% of UK levelling up funds spent, say MPsSketchy Politics: can anything save Sunak?Follow Lucy on X: @LOS_FisherSign up here for 30 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics new