These are Keir Starmer’s top priorities for 2026 – according to the average Brit
Polling group YouGov recently asked Britons what they think the government’s biggest priority for the year should be, in their own words, with the results then categorised by YouGov’s AI-powered Topic Quantifier model.
The data shows immigration is the most commonly given issue for Britons, with almost one in four (23%) saying that tackling this should be the government’s top priority this year. This is particularly driven by 2024 Reform voters (56%) and Conservatives (37%) – by far the most frequent answer in both cases.
The cost of living is top of mind for 16% of Britons, the second most common highest priority that people give. While this is the most common answer among Labour, Lib Dem, and Green voters, it is far less dominant within their priority choices, at 17-23%.
The economy ranks third overall among the public, at 10%, followed by the NHS in fourth, on 5%. Climate change comes in next, on 3%, rising to 12% among Green voters, for whom it is the second most common answer given.
Few Britons listed foreign policy as a key focus, with very few naming world peace (2%) or relations with Europe (1%) or the US (1%) as the biggest priority for the next 12 months.
Uncertainty around Starmer
Separate polling by Ipsos shows Brits are uncertain about 2026, with discontent around Prime Minister Keir Starmer continuing to grow.
The data shows that the public remains divided on their outlook for the new year, with 27% feeling optimistic about 2026 being a better year than the one just gone, while 31% believe it will be worse than 2025. Age plays a significant role in outlook, as younger Britons (aged 16-34) are more optimistic (46%) compared to older age groups.
When asked what 2026 may hold for a number of Britain’s leading politicians:
- 43% think that Keir Starmer will still be Prime Minister at the end of the year (37% unlikely). Belief in his staying power has dropped notably since 2024, when 61% predicted (correctly) he would still be PM by the end of this year.
- The same proportion (43%) think that Kemi Badenoch will still be Leader of the Conservatives at the end of 2026 (down from 49% in 2024 who predicted she would still be leader at the end of 2025). 29% think it unlikely.
- Just 27% think that Rachel Reeves will still be Chancellor at the end of the year, with half (47%) believing it’s likely that she is ousted.
