A local university for local people

Is higher education about to shift away from its global perspective?

The last year of the 2010s has been characterised by political indecision and infighting. With a conclusive victory for Boris Johnson’s Conservatives in this month’s general election, this period of ‘dithering’ (to use one of the prime minister’s favourite words) is over and the Tory government (with Chris Skidmore reconfirmed as its universities and science minister) can begin to implement its 2020 vision.

The buzzword in the realms of higher education and research is ‘place’. Johnson has managed to break down huge sections of the red wall by convincing traditional Labour voters in northern towns—many of whom felt ignored by parties that were reluctant to commit to Brexit—to vote for the Conservatives. To ensure he has not simply borrowed their vote, he will need to demonstrate policymaking that benefits the whole of the UK.