Portland has published its latest report, The Battles Ahead: A multi-party Britain
The upcoming May elections are set to reshape the political map, marking the government’s biggest electoral test since 2024. With Labour and the Conservatives both braced for losses, the result is likely to be a more fragmented, multi-party landscape.
Our exclusive polling shows that traditional left-right divides no longer fully explain voter behaviour. Instead, politics is increasingly defined by a divide between those who want rapid, disruptive change and those who prioritise stability — with 39% willing to risk economic stability for faster change, compared to 43% who favour a more cautious approach.
For Keir Starmer, this creates a defining challenge. Despite winning power on a promise of change, 63% of voters feel little or nothing has changed since the election.
In this report, Portland’s experts examine the pressures shaping the next phase of British politics. As the country moves beyond the May elections, these pressures are set to intensify across three fronts: the battle to win and hold voters, the battle to maintain party discipline, and the battle to sustain leadership authority.
Featuring an exclusive foreword from Portland Senior Adviser Alastair Campbell, the report explores how these battles will shape the next phase of this government.
If you would like to discuss the report in more detail then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected]
