A Very British Election?: The 2024 General Election and the Territorial Question(s)

Abstract

The 2024 UK general election was notable for the absence of constitutional debate, once a theme that dominated campaigns. This article examines that quietude and asks: does the election mark a shift away from an era of territorial conflict, or are longstanding tensions merely suppressed or delayed? Is this a return to “normal” British politics, with the territorial question sidelined? And what does Labour’s limited constitutional offer suggest about the future of the Union? Focusing on campaign dynamics, the early decisions of the Starmer government, and party positioning across the UK’s nations, the article argues that the appearance of stability is misleading. While intergovernmental tone has improved, substantive reform remains limited. Structural tensions — over autonomy, funding, and representation — persist beneath the surface. With the 2026 devolved elections approaching, the post-election calm may prove temporary: a fragile equilibrium rather than a settled will.