Alan Finlayson is Professor of Political and Social Theory in the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia. His research combines contributions to the development of democratic political and cultural theory (particularly ‘agonistic’ theories) with the analysis and interpretation of the ideologies shaping British politics and political economy – including “Blairism” and “Cameronism”. In particular he is interested in the intersection of British social policy with ‘financialisation’, and in the development of ‘neoliberal governmentality’. He has particular expertise in the theoretical and practical study of political rhetoric, a field which he has done much to establish within British Political Studies, and he oversees the website British Political Speech. He received the 2014 Bernard Crick Prize from Political Quarterly for his article “Proving, Pleasing, and Persuading? Rhetoric in Contemporary Politics?” He is also co-editor of the Palgrave book series  Rhetoric, Politics and Society; co-founder and Treasurer of the Rhetoric and Politics Group of the UK Political Studies Association and a member of the International Task Force of the Rhetoric Society of America. He has contributed political commentary and analysis for print, broadcast and online media including The Guardian and Open Democracy.