Personality, populism and party: support for ‘dark triad’ leaders in the UK

This article examines whether political party members’ personality traits shape their preferences for political leaders. This is of considerable significance given how many leaders are selected by party members today. Drawing on a post-2024 UK general election survey of over 4,000 members of five British parties, the study investigates the relationship between members’ Dark Triad traits – narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy – and their preferences for leaders exhibiting similar characteristics. The findings reveal that members of right-conservative parties (Reform UK and the Conservatives) score higher on Dark Triad measures than members of left-liberal parties (Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens). Moreover, individuals with stronger Dark Triad traits are more likely to favour leaders displaying those qualities. The results highlight the importance of psychological congruence between leaders and followers. The findings also suggest psychological convergence between mainstream and radical-right party memberships, thereby reinforcing an emerging consensus that the UK is characterised by two-bloc, rather than two-party, politics.