Britain's political landscape is currently defined by a profound and pervasive crisis of trust, with recent reports from More In Common and the National Centre for Social Research painting a stark picture of a nation disillusioned with its governance. This deep-seated mistrust, coupled with public exhaustion and a sense of governmental impotence, has led to the dramatic collapse of traditional two-party loyalties, ushering in a volatile multi-party system and an unprecedented public appetite for systemic change.
The scale of the trust crisis is staggering: a record low of just 12% of people trust governments to consistently prioritize national interests over party interests. More dramatically, 87% of Britons express "not very much" or "no trust at all" in politicians, a sentiment that cuts across all seven segments of the public identified by More In Common. This isn't merely healthy scepticism; it's a "deep-seated contempt" for a political class widely perceived as self-serving and out of touch, with distrust extending beyond politicians to institutions like the judiciary, police, and journalists. The National Health Service (NHS) remains a notable exception to this widespread distrust.
This crisis is fueled by several interconnected drivers. Firstly, there's public exhaustion and struggle. Britons feel worn down by a relentless succession of crises, from the pandemic and international conflicts to the escalating cost of living crisis, which half the public believe will "never get better". Despite decades of promises of "better times" or "sunlit uplands" after "tough choices," many have seen their lives worsen, leading to a deep impatience with political excuses. The inability of successive governments to effectively address these challenges has created a pervasive sense that current administrations cannot deliver change.
Secondly, a widespread loss of governmental agency contributes to public cynicism. Issues such as the failure to control immigration, symbolised by the "small boats" crossings, are seen not just as policy failures but as symptomatic of a state struggling to function and unable to enforce its own borders. Even MPs, across the political spectrum, reportedly feel that "if you pull a lever it could well come off in your hand," reflecting a pervasive sense of stasis in Whitehall. Almost three in four Britons believe the government does not have things under control. This feeling of powerlessness extends to personal lives, with many feeling they lack control over their own outcomes due to external economic pressures.
The implications for British politics are profound. The traditional two-party system is collapsing, evidenced by the 2024 General Election seeing the combined support for Labour and the Conservatives fall to its lowest level ever. Voters' choices are now far more fragmented, scattered across different parties to an unprecedented extent. This fragmentation has been particularly advantageous for challenger parties. Reform UK, for instance, secured nearly 15% of the vote in 2024, the highest ever for a 'fourth' party since UKIP in 2015, and has since surged in post-election polls, even surpassing Labour and Conservatives. The Green Party also achieved its highest ever share of the General Election vote at 7%. These challenger parties disproportionately attract voters with low levels of trust and confidence in the mainstream political system.
The decline of traditional party loyalties is intertwined with a shift in the underlying divides of British society. The traditional link between social class and support for the Conservatives and Labour has largely disappeared, replaced by age and educational background as the most significant demographic divides. Ideologically, while the left-right divide still shapes voting, the libertarian/authoritarian divide, central to the Brexit debate, has become even more defining, particularly for support of Reform and the Greens. This "multi-dimensional" electoral choice makes it increasingly difficult for the two main parties to appeal broadly. More In Common identifies further "fault lines" beyond simple left-right or party lines, including differing appetites for incremental reform versus radical change, tolerance for risk, perceptions of solution complexity, and varying levels of social connection and informational trust.
The public's widespread dissatisfaction has led to a willingness to "roll the dice on something new". This is reflected in a record high support for electoral reform, with 60% of people now favouring a change to allow smaller parties a fairer share of MPs, a view supported by majorities across all five largest parties. There is also unprecedented support for coalition governments, with over half (53%) preferring them to single-party rule, the highest level in 40 years. This suggests a fundamental questioning of Britain's traditional democratic structures in the wake of the highly disproportional outcome of the 2024 election.
Interestingly, the near-record low turnout in 2024 (the second lowest post-war) doesn't appear to be a direct consequence of low trust. Instead, it stems from a weakening of voters' attachment to parties (40% have no party identity), a decline in the perceived "duty to vote" (67% in 2024 compared to 78% in 2019), and a perception that there is "not much difference" between the Conservative and Labour parties. This points to a party system less able to command the loyalty and attention of voters.
Can the Labour government reverse this trend? The challenge for the Labour government is immense, as the 2024 election, unlike previous ballots, failed to restore trust and confidence in governance. Within months of taking office, trust levels reverted to or even surpassed their pre-election record lows. This suggests that a mere change of party in power is insufficient to address the deep-seated malaise.
To meaningfully address this "Shattered Britain," the Labour government would need to directly tackle the core drivers of public disillusionment identified in the reports:
Deliver Tangible, Effective Governance: The public's primary demand is for "more effective government," particularly concerning the economy and public services. This means showing demonstrable progress on the cost of living crisis, improving the NHS (where dissatisfaction is at a record high), and alleviating financial struggles. If the perception of "stasis" persists and "levers" continue to come off in their hand, trust will remain elusive.
Re-establish a Sense of Control: The widespread feeling that the government has lost control over key issues, notably immigration, is a potent symbol of state dysfunction. The government must show convincing evidence of regaining control over such challenges to rebuild public confidence in its competence.
Address Brexit Disillusionment: The reports clearly state that disillusionment with how Brexit has worked out, particularly among Leave voters, is a key factor depressing trust. While Labour has accepted Brexit, they need a strategy to navigate and mitigate the ongoing public disappointment, especially as Reform UK continues to gain significant support from these voters.
Rebuild Trust and Integrity: Beyond policy delivery, the deep-seated "contempt" for politicians due to perceived self-interest and lack of truthfulness requires a sustained commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. While difficult to measure, a consistent demonstration of integrity could chip away at the cynicism.
Engage with Demands for Systemic Change: The unprecedented public support for electoral reform and coalition governments signals a desire to fundamentally alter Britain's political framework. While Labour secured a majority under the current system, ignoring this strong public sentiment for systemic change could further alienate voters who feel their voices aren't fairly represented, especially given the disproportionate outcome of the 2024 election. Embracing even a dialogue about such reforms could demonstrate responsiveness to public discontent.
Re-engage the Disenfranchised: The fall in turnout due to weakened party attachment and a perception of little difference between mainstream parties indicates a need for Labour to clearly articulate its distinct vision and offer compelling reasons for voters to feel a sense of duty and interest in participating. This requires moving beyond merely occupying the centre ground if it means being perceived as "Tweedledum and Tweedledee".
In conclusion, simply being the "new government" has proven insufficient to restore public trust in Britain's political system. The challenges are systemic and deep-rooted, stemming from years of unresolved crises, perceived governmental incompetence, and a fundamental shift in voter loyalties and expectations. For the Labour government to reverse this, it must not only address the formidable policy challenges but also actively demonstrate a capacity for effective governance, rebuild integrity, and potentially engage with the public's appetite for fundamental systemic change. The ultimate test for Britain's democracy, as the reports suggest, is its ability to deliver.