With the appointment of Andy Burnham as prime minister, the United Kingdom has again turned left despite knowing it needs to turn right.

This paradox was clearer in 2024 when Keir Starmer’s Labour government was elected to tackle economic stagnation, a struggling health service and immigration – the top three concerns for voters, opinion polls have shown.

Although Labour is more trusted on health, the British electorate invariably looks to the Conservatives on the economy and immigration. Voters did not feel they could do this after 14 years of chaotic Tory rule, so in a mix of hope and resignation they turned to Labour instead.

Starmer lured them in with promises of fiscal probity and tighter borders – policies deeply at odds with Labour’s convictions. As the party inevitably failed to deliver, it plunged in the polls and in council elections until it ousted its leader.

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