In surveys, what political issues most concern the British public? What are the hot topics of the day?
As of January 2026, the British political landscape is dominated by a sense of public frustration and a clear hierarchy of concerns.
Recent surveys from major pollsters like YouGov and Ipsos reveal that while the “Cost of Living” remains a heavy burden, “Immigration” has surged to the forefront as a top government priority for a significant portion of the population.
🔝 Top Public Priorities for 2026
According to January 2026 polling, the following issues are cited as the most urgent for the government to address:
| Rank | Issue | Key Drivers |
| 1 | Immigration | Cited as the #1 priority by 23% of the public. This is especially high among Reform UK (56%) and Conservative (37%) voters. |
| 2 | Cost of Living | Remains the primary concern for roughly 16-29% (depending on the survey wording), particularly among Labour and Lib Dem voters. |
| 3 | The Economy | General economic growth and stability are top-of-mind for about 10-13% of the public. |
| 4 | The NHS | While often the “top concern” historically, it currently sits at 5% as a primary priority, though 48% mention it as a secondary major concern. |
🔥 Hot Topics & “Of the Day” Debates
Beyond the broad trends, several specific issues are currently fueling heated debate in Parliament and the media:
1. Political Trust & Local Elections
The “Trust Deficit”: Public trust in government is at a record low. Nearly 45% of Britons say they “almost never” trust the government to put the nation’s needs above party interests.
Election Delays: The government recently announced plans to delay local elections in 29 areas to focus on local government reorganization, sparking accusations of “undemocratic” behavior and financial concerns for smaller parish councils.
2. Emerging Legislative Battles
End of Life Care: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is undergoing intense line-by-line scrutiny in the House of Lords, sparking a nationwide ethical debate.
AI Regulation: There is growing pressure to regulate “superintelligent AI,” with recent calls for an international moratorium on its development.
3. Geopolitics & “Permacrisis”
The EU Customs Union: Ten years after the Brexit referendum, debates have resurfaced regarding a new EU-UK customs union to help the economy, with the First Minister of Scotland recently calling Brexit a “disaster” for public services.
The “Board of Peace”: In the wake of conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, there is a sharp debate over the UK’s role in new international legal orders and whether it should join proposed global peace boards.
4. Public Sector Unrest
Doctor Strikes: Labour disputes in the health and social work sector continue to impact the NHS, with recent strikes contributing to a significant loss of working days.
Note: There is a notable “generational divide” in how these issues are viewed. Younger Britons (18–34) are significantly more likely to support long-term policy decisions—even if they make life harder today—compared to older generations who prioritize immediate relief.
How are each of the main political parties polling against each other in light of these issues?
The January 2026 polling landscape reveals a dramatic shift in British politics. The most striking trend is the surge of Reform UK, which is currently leading in multiple major polls, while the Labour Party is experiencing a significant slump in support since their 2024 landslide.
📊 Current Voting Intention (January 2026)
Recent data from More in Common, YouGov, and Electoral Calculus suggest a highly fragmented electorate. If an election were held tomorrow, the results would look radically different from 2024.
| Party | Average Vote Share | Predicted Seats (MRP) | Trend |
| Reform UK | 28% – 31% | 274 – 381 | 📈 Up significantly; leading in working-class areas. |
| Conservative | 19% – 21% | 70 – 99 | ↔️ Stabilising, but battling for second place. |
| Labour | 17% – 20% | 30 – 110 | 📉 Sharp decline; losing voters to Green and Reform. |
| Liberal Democrats | 11% – 13% | 35 – 68 | ↔️ Steady; retaining a “stolid” base. |
| Green Party | 12% – 13% | 9 – 52 | 📈 Growing, especially among the under-30s. |
🔍 Key Findings by Party
🟩 Reform UK: The New Frontrunner
The Surge: Nigel Farage’s party has capitalized on concerns over Immigration and the Economy. They are now leading among voters in routine and manual occupations (39%) and those in their 60s.
The “Disproportionate” Majority: Due to the First-Past-The-Post system, some models (like More in Common) suggest Reform could win a 112-seat majority with just 31% of the vote because of how fragmented the opposition is.
🟥 Labour: The “Trust Deficit”
Voter Exodus: Only about 38% of those who voted Labour in 2024 still support the party. Disillusioned progressives are moving to the Greens (15%), while others are shifting to the Lib Dems (9%) or Reform (8%).
Leadership Ratings: Keir Starmer’s net favourability has hit a record low of -57, matching the lowest points of Rishi Sunak. Nearly half the country (47%) believes it would be good for the country if he were replaced.
🟦 Conservatives: Stability in Second?
Kemi Badenoch’s Positioning: Under Badenoch, the Tories have seen a modest recovery, attracting some voters back from Reform. They remain strongest among the over-70s (32%).
Tactical Voting: One-third of remaining Labour voters say they would be willing to vote Conservative tactically specifically to keep Reform UK out of power.
🟧 Liberal Democrats & 🌿 Greens
The Lib Dems remain the most stable “third party,” holding their ground in affluent and university-heavy seats.
The Greens are now the leading party among under-30s, currently holding a massive 37% vote share among 18–24 year olds, largely due to dissatisfaction with Labour’s environmental and economic policies.
The “Tactical” Factor: While Reform leads, their victory is not guaranteed. “Anti-Reform” tactical voting could cost them up to 60 seats if voters on the left and center-right coordinate to block them.
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