As 2025 begins, many in the UK are expressing dissatisfaction with the current Labour government, which is perceived as steering the country towards a collectivist and socialist society. Taxation and spending have reached unprecedented levels, and recent education reforms and Brexit policies are seen as detrimental. According to YouGov, the government’s approval ratings have plummeted from -2% in July to -45% now.
Critics argue that the UK, along with much of Europe, has been heading in the wrong direction for years. Economic figures released before Christmas highlight a decline in national income per head since mid-2022, now equivalent to 2019 levels. This trend contrasts sharply with the growth rates of the 1980s and 1990s, when GDP per head grew by 2.2% annually, compared to just 0.1% in recent years.
Jon Moynihan’s book “Return to Growth” suggests that high spending, taxation, and regulation are key factors stifling economic growth. Public spending, which was 35% of GDP during Tony Blair’s first term, has risen to 45%. Moynihan argues that reducing business regulation to 1995 levels could boost growth by at least 1%.
The opposition, currently divided between the Conservatives and Reform, faces the challenge of presenting a viable alternative to Labour. Reform has gained an early lead by addressing issues like NHS reform and public sector pension spending. In contrast, the Conservatives, led by Kemi Badenoch, have yet to articulate clear principles or policies.
As the UK grapples with economic and political uncertainty, the need for a credible and effective opposition becomes increasingly urgent. The conservative majority in Britain seeks honest leadership to address the nation’s challenges and chart a path towards recovery.