The structural transformation of the public space: high street changes and populism by Stephane Wolton

Join us for another event in the Political Economy and Political Science Institutions (PEPSI) Seminar Series, Spring Term 2024.

Stephane Wolton, from the London School of Economics and Political Science, will present their research on The structural transformation of the public space: high street changes and populism.  

Abstract

Independent shops are the cornerstone of a vibrant community. When they close, something is lost forever. We study how changes in the high street affect the vote for UKIP, the main populist party in the UK, in local elections in England and Wales. Using the universe of shops and panel data and IV strategies, we document how the disappearance of independent shops feeds the vote for populist parties. Using individual data, we provide suggestive evidence that the impact of community change on populist vote share is driven by residential sorting.

This seminar will be held in NTC.1.02 on Wednesday 14th February 2024 at 12.30pm. This event is open to all levels of study and is also open to the public.