Episode Details

The recent death of former MP Ann Widdecombe prompted warm tributes from across the political spectrum—even from those who opposed everything she stood for. Less than a decade ago, two sitting UK MPs were murdered during constituency surgeries. Jo Cox was killed by a far-right extremist in 2016; David Amess was killed by an Islamist extremist in 2021. This episode examines the gap between respectful disagreement and lethal enmity. How does everyday performative hostility in parliaments normalize enemy-framing? When does political performance become genuine contempt? And can the "more in common" sentiment survive the structural incentives of adversarial politics?