Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Ian Proud: Britain’s Decline & Search for a New Purpose
Jan 5, 2026
Ian Proud, a former British diplomat and economic counsellor in Moscow, explores Britain’s domestic decline and its struggle to redefine its global purpose. He highlights how politics has become disconnected from ordinary citizens and critiques the legitimacy of the political class. Proud also examines rising populism, the impact of migration on identity politics, and warns about the UK's faltering position in the geopolitical landscape, particularly concerning its anti-Russian stance and economic vulnerabilities.
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Disconnect Between Politicians And Voters
- British voters feel politicians no longer serve their interests, creating deep democratic disconnection.
- Ian Proud links this to a narrow Westminster policymaking bubble and a shrinking Overton window on many issues.
Centrist Convergence Fuels New Parties
- The collapse of distinct policy choices made Labour and Conservatives converge toward the center and reduced voter options.
- Proud argues this centrism fuels the rise of new parties and political fragmentation across Europe.
Migration As Political Flashpoint
- Migration worries are political tinder when critics are demonized instead of engaged with constructively.
- Proud stresses that controlled, assimilative migration is acceptable, but perceived unchecked flows erode legitimacy.