The highlight of British politics in 2025 has been the rise of Reform UK as the leading party in polls. There is quite a sense of inevitability in a Reform government. However, there is still a long way to go until the next general election, and Nigel Farage’s party is coming under increased scrutiny as it edges towards power. Likely unsurprisingly, the other key feature of UK politics in 2025 was Donald Trump‘s move. Whether it’s Elon Musk, Trump’s former close associate, meddling in the country’s politics or the tariffs imposed on global trade, British domestic politics appear to be influenced by American politics. One of the reasons for the change has to do with the fact that the U.S. economy has vastly surpassed the UK’s over the past 2 decades. Productivity stagnation is largely to blame for this, besides the country’s demographic reality. Rapid economic growth, the government’s explicit priority and best bet for re-election, although likely, may just be impossible for the country.
A number of recent polls place Reform UK in first or second place. The electoral system makes it difficult for this surge to translate into power. However, the volatility of the electorate makes it possible.
Reform UK reflects signs of continuously leading in polls. With the likely unpopularity of both the Labour and the Conservative parties, many are beginning to see a Nigel Farage government as inevitable.
Elon Musk’s recent interest in disrupting EU & UK politics can seem a bit of a mystery.
The government is considering adopting the proposal of Labour Together to introduce mandatory digital ID cards in an effort to tackle irregular migration and visa overstayers.
With US influence, there are questions emerging over the potential consequences of one of his signature policies: tariffs. During the 1st Trump administration, the UK wasn’t affected by the imposition of U.S. import tariffs; a potential geopolitical escalation of a tariff war could have serious consequences for a British economy that’s compelled to choose between the EU and the U.S.
