Labour government faces growing public dissatisfaction after one year

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government is confronting mounting public dissatisfaction as polling shows support has collapsed to the low-20s, with significant numbers of 2024 Labour voters defecting to Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, and the Greens

New YouGov polling of over 10,000 Britons reveals that belief Labour has broken or failed to deliver on promises is the primary motivation driving voter defection, posing serious challenges for a government that won a landslide majority just over a year ago.

The government’s approval ratings have declined sharply, with only 22% of respondents believing Labour is effective at improving their lives, compared to 28% who now view the previous Conservative government more favourably despite voters having rejected it at the ballot box.

Labour’s economic strategy has faced particular criticism, with economic growth stagnating during the latter half of 2024 and the government tempering its ambitious goals of achieving the fastest G7 growth. GDP per capita showed minimal improvement, rising just half a percent by April compared to the summer period.

The party has lost significant ground to Reform UK, with these defections appearing particularly solid. Only 13% of Labour-to-Reform switchers say they would consider returning to Labour, while 37% give the party zero chance of winning back their support.

However, there remains potential for recovery among voters who have moved to the Liberal Democrats and Greens, with 58-60% of these defectors indicating they would consider voting Labour again. This suggests the party’s losses are not necessarily permanent.

Domestic policy challenges have mounted throughout the year, with controversial decisions on winter fuel payments for pensioners drawing significant criticism. The Prime Minister has acknowledged the need for greater clarity on eligibility criteria amid pressure from within his own party.

The government’s handling of immigration and asylum issues continues to generate political pressure, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper facing questions about small boat crossings and the effectiveness of cooperation with French authorities.

Labour’s approach to international affairs has also created divisions, particularly regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, which contributed to the party losing five seats to independent candidates in the 2024 election, including former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The party faces the challenge of delivering tangible improvements to voters’ daily lives while managing a difficult fiscal inheritance and global economic uncertainty. The government insists its long-term missions require patience, but polling suggests public expectations for quicker results.