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Is Trust in British Politics Broken Forever?
08 July 2026

Is Trust in British Politics Broken Forever?

Afternoon Empire with Ian Collins

About

Has your trust in politics completely broken down? With Nigel Farage’s resignation triggering a controversial Clacton by-election, new research suggests most Britons believe the country’s social contract has collapsed. Is confidence in politics at its lowest point in decades?


Former government special adviser James Price examines whether Britain’s political system is fundamentally broken, why trust in politicians continues to decline, and whether the latest Reform UK controversy is a symptom of a much deeper problem.


Dan Barker, Board Member of Reform UK, responds after Labour, the Conservatives and Restore announced they will not contest the Clacton by-election, branding it a “fake” vote. Has Farage outmanoeuvred his opponents, or does the resignation deepen public cynicism about politics?


Economist Liam Halligan discusses stark warnings from the Office for Budget Responsibility that Andy Burnham could need £120 billion in tax rises to avoid a fiscal crisis. Can Britain afford its current spending commitments, and what would higher taxes mean for households and businesses?


Nigel Farage, Reform UK, trust in politics, Clacton by-election, Andy Burnham, £120bn tax rises, the economy and Britain’s future. Has the public lost faith in politics altogether?

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