King's College London

Former Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH has warned democracy faces its gravest threat in decades, urging established democracies to remain vigilant against the rise of populist movements that seek to divide society, amplify grievance and target minority groups.

Speaking on 18 March at King’s College London, where he delivered the Attlee Foundation Lecture, Sir John said the current moment “transcends the usual competition between democratic parties” and carries more profound risks – with democracy in retreat globally for two decades and much of the world now living outside democratic protection.

Autocratic regimes, he argued, are increasingly confident in undermining democratic norms to entrench their power, making it all the more important that established democracies remain vigilant.

At the event, hosted by the Strand Group – part of the Policy Institute at King’s – Sir John reflected on the legacy of former Prime Minister Clement Attlee, emphasising the importance of political courage, public service and respect across party lines.

Of Attlee, he said: “Of course, were he and I both active in politics today – there would be differences of policy, of priority, of philosophy. We are political opponents. But mark this: Opponents, Yes. Enemies, No.”

On the UK's relationship with the United States, he called for careful statecraft: maintaining a close partnership while preserving independent judgement. He also addressed wider geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and their implications for international stability.

Turning to domestic politics, Sir John suggested there is now a case for discussing electoral reform as part of a broader renewal of democratic legitimacy – but cautioned against welcoming the decline of mainstream parties. If they were to fall, he warned, the space they leave may not be filled by democrats.

At the heart of the lecture was a clear defence of liberal democracy. Sir John argued that its purpose is to extend freedom, not only from constraint, but from fear, conflict and want – and to protect the right to speak openly, practise religion freely and challenge injustice.

The lecture concluded with questions from the audience on Sir John’s time in government and today’s political challenges, reinforcing his central warning: that the erosion of mainstream democratic politics risks opening the door to more extreme and less democratic alternatives.