From Landslide to Letdown: Starmer Faces Voter Backlash After One Year

A year after Keir Starmer entered Downing Street, British politics already feels like it is heading towards another general election — even though one is likely four years away. Labour enjoys a comfortable parliamentary majority, yet the mood revealed in the latest Geostrategy tracker poll is one of fatigue, anxiety, and scepticism. Starmer may command numbers in Parliament, but the poll suggests he and his party are beginning to lose command of public opinion.

The findings underline how quickly Starmer’s authority has eroded since his landslide win. Labour’s current voters remain broadly supportive of the Prime Minister, but confidence collapses among Conservatives and Reform voters, while even Liberal Democrats and Greens are divided on whether the government is taking the country in the right direction.

The Economy Dominates

When asked to identify the most important issue facing the UK, voters are unequivocal. Thirty-five percent select the economy and cost of living, placing it firmly at the top. Immigration follows at 28%, its rise driven by recent debates over small boat crossings and border control. The NHS ranks third at 22%, while crime and public safety concern 10%.

These concerns overlap. Economic anxieties bleed into frustration with overstretched services, while immigration debates fuel a broader sense of disorder and a narrative of government losing control. Above all, pessimism dominates: a majority (55%) agree that Britain is “broken.” Crucially, this view cuts across party lines, with majorities of Labour, Conservative, and Reform supporters in agreement.

But when broken down by current vote, priorities diverge sharply. Among Reform UK supporters, immigration towers above all else: more than half name it the top concern, dwarfing the economy. For Labour voters, the economy dominates at nearly 40%, with immigration far behind. Green supporters place the NHS first, while Conservatives are split between immigration and the economy.

Governing Without Conviction

The verdict on Starmer’s government is bleak. Only 36% approve of his overall performance, while 49% disapprove, leaving him with a net rating of –12. Just 30% of voters are confident the government is addressing public needs.

Partisan divides are clear. Two-thirds (67%) of Labour voters approve of Starmer, but that falls to 22% among Conservatives and just 8% among Reform supporters. Liberal Democrats are split, offering modest support at best.

Seventy-nine percent of Labour voters express confidence (36% “very,” 43% “somewhat”), but only 43% of Lib Dems and about a third of Conservatives say the same. Among Reform voters, a striking 72% declare themselves “not at all confident.”

Issue ratings are equally poor. Just 28% think Starmer is handling the economy well, 25% the NHS, and 20% immigration. Even within Labour’s core vote, approval rarely rises above half on any issue.

The Economy: Still the Core Concern

Economic anxiety remains the defining feature of British politics. Sixty-two percent of respondents say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the economy, with cost-of-living pressures and weak growth dominating. Concern rises to 70% among working-class households, while among 18–34s it reaches 65%, with more than half reporting their household finances have worsened over the past year.

The scale of pessimism is remarkable. Labour won the 2024 election on promises of economic stability, growth, and relief from inflation. Yet one year on, many voters see little change. With the budget looming in November, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces growing pressure; some in Westminster speculate she could out of a job this time next year.

Immigration and Public Services

Immigration has become Britain’s second great dividing line. Fifty-eight percent of voters say they are concerned about the scale of arrivals and the lack of deportations. Starmer’s “one in, one out” pledge convinces just 20% of the electorate.

The partisan split here is stark. Among Reform voters, immigration is the defining issue: most name it the country’s top concern, and nearly all are dissatisfied with Labour’s handling. Conservatives echo this, with immigration rivalling the economy as a priority. Labour supporters are less hostile, but even within Starmer’s base, immigration is viewed as poorly managed.

Public services provide little cover. Only 25% of voters approve of the government’s NHS performance — traditionally a Labour stronghold — while 45% describe the service as in “crisis.” On crime, 42% are worried about public safety, reinforcing a broader atmosphere of insecurity.

The poll highlights four enduring dynamics shaping British politics this autumn:

1. The Broken Britain Narrative

More than half the electorate sees the country as broken. This perception unites left and right in distrust of institutions and defines the lens through which voters judge government performance. 2. The Competence Gap

Labour’s weakness is not legitimacy but competence. Voters think the government cannot deliver, particularly on immigration, the NHS, and the economy. 3. Immigration as Wedge

Immigration has become the sharpest dividing line in British politics. Some commentators argue the battles of 2025 foreshadow the next election: a “2029 immigration election,” in which border control will define the campaign. 4. Engagement amid Disillusion

Despite widespread fatigue, political engagement remains high: 60% say they are still somewhat interested in politics. Yet this engagement is paired with deep distrust of elites and public institutions across the spectrum.

Download the data tables for this poll.