Abstract
ABSTRACT Support for the populist radical right (PRR) has surged across Europe. Existing studies on female support for the PRR are mostly cross-national in nature and have found that neither social-demographic nor attitudinal differences satisfactorily explain the gender gap in PRR support. Here we focus on the gender gap in support for UKIP and the Brexit Party, two parties that have significantly shaped British politics. Using data covering two European Parliamentary and three General Elections, we show that a gender gap exists in PRR support, but that it varies over time. In line with comparative studies, we find little evidence to suggest that social-demographic or attitudinal differences explain the gender gap in PRR support. Instead, we show that party leadership is crucial. Women in the British electorate hold negative opinions on Nigel Farage and this explains the gender gap in PRR support in Britain.
Highlights
Since the 1980s, researchers have revealed that more men than women support the radical right (Spierings and Zaslove 2017)
Drawing on data from the online British Election Study Internet Panel (BESIP) across five elections (Fieldhouse et al 2020), we find that the gender gap varies over time and that remarkable similarities exist between men and women radical right voters when it comes to their demographic profiles and political attitudes
We find that the support base of UKIP and the Brexit Party in five recent elections was predominantly male
Summary
Since the 1980s, researchers have revealed that more men than women support the radical right (Spierings and Zaslove 2017). Women in the British electorate hold negative opinions on Nigel Farage and this explains the gender gap in PRR support in Britain.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
