Europe Inside Out Is Britain Becoming More Like Europe?
Dec 10, 2025
Peter Kellner, a seasoned pollster and founder of YouGov, joins Anne McElvoy, executive editor at Politico, to explore the shifting political landscape in Britain. They discuss the sharp decline in support for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the rise of insurgent parties like Reform UK. Kellner and McElvoy delve into the possibility of a pragmatic reengagement with the EU, debating its economic implications and what it means for Brexit. They also tackle cultural tensions, party identity crises, and the evolving nature of British voters.
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Labour's Weak Vote Share At Start
- Labour began with only about a third of the vote despite a large seat majority. This low starting support makes the government's current fall to ~18% historically alarming.
Starmer's Mixed First-Year Record
- Keir Starmer has underperformed in his first year, with clarity and domestic leadership problems cutting into authority. His consistent stance on Ukraine remains a rare policy success.
Two-Party System Vs Multiparty Reality
- Britain shows a growing multiparty landscape but its electoral system still favours two parties. This mismatch makes election outcomes harder to predict and the system unstable.