Diplomatic Dimension of the transformation of the UK Ruling Elite and the Official Opposition, 2015–2022

The article is devoted to the transformation of both the ruling elite and the Official Opposition in the United Kingdom in the period 2015–2022 and its reflection in Britain’s diplomatic practices. During this period, the British political system faced many different challenges, including the referendum on the country’s membership of the EU, the subsequent difficult process of the country‘s withdrawal from the integration association, various internal party splits on key issues of British political life. All these issues not only influenced the formation of the new British political elite, but also shaped its diplomatic agenda. The study of the generation of ideas in the British elite, as well as the study of its composition, makes it possible to determine the value of its influence on foreign policy decisions, as well as the influence of its composition on Britain’s activities in the international arena. It also analyzes the impact of these events on the structure and dynamics of power relations, as well as on the strategic priorities and ideological attitudes of both Britain’s ruling elite and its opposition. The article examines changes in key characteristics of the elite, such as the gender, age, ethnicity and educational attainment of politicians, and assesses new trends in their political views and behaviour. Attention is also given to the implications of elite change for the British political system.