Key Political Developments Shaping UK and International Politics in 2025-2026
The year 2025 witnessed significant political events with far-reaching implications for both the United Kingdom and the global landscape. A notable moment was the high-profile Oval Office confrontation between former US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, which an MP described as the maddest moment and one that influenced UK politics.
Domestically, UK politics saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves visibly emotional in the Commons, coinciding with investors altering their behavior as the Office for Budget Responsibility released budget figures shortly before her speech. Within the Labour Party, a new left-wing faction under the Corbynista banner emerged but soon fractured due to internal disagreements. Meanwhile, Downing Street publicly asserted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer would repel any leadership challenges, signaling perceived vulnerability. Starmer's authority began to wane as Labour abandoned welfare reform proposals amid questions about governing with a large majority and the late-budget context.
Meanwhile, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, rose to prominence with claims of large membership and mounting pressure on major parties. Immigration policy became a central focus for Reform. The upcoming "Meg-May" 2026 elections are expected to be pivotal, with Reform potentially gaining power, the Liberal Democrats and Greens making improvements, some Conservatives anticipating Reform to underperform, and Labour possibly facing leadership speculation if election results are poor.
On the international front, "Trump 2.0's" foreign policy impacted European defence spending, Middle East diplomacy, and potential global trade frictions, thereby shaping UK and European politics. The terms of a Ukrainian peace settlement remain a crucial factor that could determine European security and the nature of the UK-US relationship moving forward.
