Public Discontent with UK Government Reaches New Heights

Our latest poll paints a grim picture for the UK Government, with half of the population (50%) perceiving it as incompetent. These figures represent a new low in public opinion, exacerbated by a dramatic erosion of trust in key demographic groups traditionally seen as political anchors. Historical polling data underscores the unprecedented nature of this decline, showcasing how this Government’s standing compares unfavourably even with other administrations at their nadir.

Age as a Factor: Older Voters’ Dissatisfaction

One of the most striking aspects of our poll is the strong sentiment of incompetence among older age groups. A staggering 67% of those over 65 years old—typically a demographic that has leaned more conservatively in past elections—deem the Government incompetent. This discontent is mirrored among 55–64-year-olds (56%) and 45–54-year-olds (53%), further underscoring a generational frustration that could spell disaster for the Government’s political fortunes, especially with the local election in May.

Labour’s Credibility Crisis Among Key Demographics

The poll also reveals a troubling trend for the Labour Party, which, despite securing a decisive victory in the 2024 General Election, has failed to retain the trust of significant segments of its voter base. Alarmingly, 30% of Labour voters from 2024 now view the Government as incompetent. This signals a critical failure of communication and policy delivery, raising questions about the party’s ability to maintain its coalition of supporters. Moreover, Labour appears to be haemorrhaging trust among parents (41%), homeowners (49%), and, most crucially, the working class (53%). The working class, historically the backbone of Labour’s support, now represents a major challenge for the party as over half express dissatisfaction with the Government’s competence.

Comparative Historical Context

To understand how badly the labour party is performing it is instructive to compare these figures to historical data. During the height of the financial crisis in 2008, public perception of Government incompetence peaked at 45%, a number considered catastrophic at the time. Similarly, during the turmoil of the Brexit negotiations in 2019, polling showed 48% of the public believed the Government was incompetent. The current figure of 50%, therefore, represents a new high-water mark of public disillusionment, surpassing even these turbulent periods. The consistent decline in trust across multiple administrations suggests a broader malaise in the UK’s political system, with successive Governments failing to meet public expectations.

Download the data tables for this poll.