Voter Priorities and Trust: The Public Now Trust Reform UK the Most to Deliver on the Economy, NHS and Immigration

As Keir Starmer’s Labour party grapples with a stagnant economy, crumbling public services and rising concerns over immigration, these issues continue to dominate the conversation and the latest polling offers a revealing snapshot of voter priorities and trust in party competence across key policy areas. Reform UK’s surge at the local level is now translating into growing credibility on the big issues, shaking up the traditional power balance between Labour and the Conservatives. This new data not only reaffirms which issues matter most to voters but also highlights a significant realignment in public trust that could reshape the political landscape for years to come.

Top Voter Priorities: The Economy, Healthcare and Immigration Dominate the Agenda

The latest polling shows that the economy remains by far the top issue shaping voter decisions, with 59% of respondents selecting it among their top three concerns, up from 56% in the last poll. Healthcare (46%) and immigration (46%) follow as the next two most cited issues, underscoring the persistent cost-of-living pressures, NHS backlogs and concerns over migration that continue to dominate public discourse.

While the economy is universally cited across demographics, nuances emerge: voters aged 45–64 are the most focused on the economy (69%), while younger voters (18–24) place slightly less emphasis on it (53%). Healthcare is especially important to female voters (53% vs. 39% of men) and remains a crucial issue for Labour supporters (53%). Immigration sees its strongest salience among older voters (56% of 65+) but it is also important for those aged 18-24 (56%) and unsurprisingly, among Reform UK voters (89%), confirming immigration as a pillar of the Reform agenda.

Housing (26%) has grown in prominence, especially among younger and lower-income demographics, while policing and crime (21%) and the environment (17%) maintain mid-level concern.

Trust on the Economy: Reform Rises, Labour Faces Doubts

On the economy, the clear top issue, voters remain skeptical of all parties, though Reform UK is making notable inroads.

• Labour: Only 12% of respondents say they “significantly trust” Labour on the economy, with 23% fairly trusting them. While 20% say they “slightly trust” Labour, a substantial 34% do not trust them at all. Notably, Labour’s trust levels on the economy remain strongest among 18–34s and Labour’s 2024 voters (24% “significantly trust” vs. just 8% among Conservatives).

• Conservatives: Traditionally seen as stronger on economic matters, the Tories retain a slight edge over Labour. 15% of voters “significantly trust” the Conservatives, 21% “fairly trust” and 24% “slightly trust” them. However, nearly 28% do not trust them at all which is better than Labour but suggests that voters, especially older demographics, are still uneasy considering the party’s 14 years in power.

• Reform UK: Reform is gaining traction and is now the most trusted party to deliver on the economy: 17% “significantly trust” the party on the economy, 22% “fairly trust” and 18% “slightly trust.” Although 25% say they don’t trust Reform at all, the party’s rising economic credibility, especially among 2024 Labour and Conservative supporters, is a critical trend to watch.

Trust on Immigration: Reform Clearly Leads

Immigration remains a defining issue and Reform UK’s messaging is resonating:

• Labour: Despite efforts to lower immigration numbers, only 10% “significantly trust” Labour to manage immigration, 19% “fairly trust” and 19% “slightly trust.” A concerning 41% say they do not trust Labour at all, reinforcing the party’s long-standing vulnerability on this issue.

• Conservatives: While still viewed as stronger than Labour, the Tories’ position is undercut by dissatisfaction on the right: 12% “significantly trust” the party, 21% “fairly trust” and 19% “slightly trust” but 35% do not trust them at all.
• Reform UK: By contrast, Reform dominates on immigration. A striking 26% “significantly trust” them, 21% “fairly trust” and 14% “slightly trust.” Just 24% say they do not trust Reform on immigration, marking it as the party’s signature strength.

Trust on Healthcare (The NHS): Reform Take the Lead

Healthcare is Labour’s traditional stronghold but Reform is now the most trusted party to deliver on the NHS:

• Labour: 14% “significantly trust” Labour on the NHS, with 21% “fairly trust” and 23% “slightly trust.” A staggering 34% do not trust Labour at all, which is a concerning figure given its positioning as the party closest to the NHS.

• Conservatives: The Conservatives continue to trail: 12% “significantly trust,” 18% “fairly trust” and 24% “slightly trust.” Similar to Labour, 35% of respondents do not trust the Conservatives at all on the NHS.

• Reform UK: Reform UK is now the most trusted party to deliver on the NHS with 18% indicating “significant trust,” 21% “fairly trust” and 17% “slightly trust.” Despite being 8/9 points ahead of Labour and the Tories, 27% do not trust Reform on the NHS, suggesting this remains a weaker issue for them compared to immigration.

This latest polling underscores a critical theme: while the economy, healthcare and immigration remain the cornerstones of voter decision-making, no party commands overwhelming trust on any of these fronts. Labour’s traditional strength on the NHS is slipping, the Conservatives’ long-held reputation for economic management is under sustained pressure and Reform UK is capitalising on discontent, especially on immigration and increasingly, the economy. Reform’s rise is particularly striking as they now lead on trust across all three top issues, a development that was unimaginable a year ago.

However, while Reform’s message is resonating, it’s worth noting that high levels of distrust remain across the board, reflecting broader public cynicism toward politics in general. For Labour and the Conservatives, the challenge is to regain lost ground by delivering credible, tangible policy proposals and convincing a skeptical electorate that they can deliver lasting solutions.

Download the data tables for this poll.