John,
As we look ahead to 2026, we want to be honest with you about where British politics is heading, and why the next year will matter far more than it might seem at first glance.
The rules that govern our democracy, the money shaping our political debate, and the voices being amplified in public life are already setting the direction of travel. If we don’t meet this moment, we risk losing far more than a single election cycle.
So here are five things to watch out for in 2026:
1) The Elections Bill
Our democracy should be getting a big upgrade, in the form of the Elections Bill.
Without a fair, functional democracy, we can’t get the change on the issues that matter most. The Elections Bill in 2026 will be a huge opportunity for our mission.
2) Who is buying our politics?
Decisions can be shaped by people you’ll never hear about. A large part of our work this year has been shining a light on them and what they’re trying to buy.
Dark money and vested interests are taking over our politics, and it’s everyone else who is picking up the tab.
When politics is bought in this way, outcomes stop reflecting the will of the public. Policies drift away from what people actually want and need. Disillusionment grows.
We can’t allow our politics to be bought by millionaires with vested interests. Without serious change, we will continue to fight symptoms rather than causes.
3) The rise and normalisation of the far-right
We’ve seen a dangerous shift in the political climate. The far right is no longer operating on the fringes. Nigel Farage has become a central figure in our national conversation again, and he’s shaping the conversation.
Figures like Tommy Robinson are being given platforms and legitimacy that would have been unthinkable not long ago.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s a symptom of our failing democracy. Farage is exploiting disillusionment, fueling it, and reaping the rewards.
When extremism is treated as just another opinion, the entire democratic system is put under strain. The spectrum shifts. And the cost is paid by communities targeted by hate, and by anyone who wants a politics based on reality rather than scapegoats.
4) Lies are outrunning the truth
When lies travel faster than facts, politics becomes a contest of manipulation rather than a debate about solutions.
Disinformation doesn’t just mislead people, it hardens division, destroys trust, and makes it easier for extreme narratives to dominate.
Unless we get serious about oversight, transparency, and accountability, the information environment will keep deteriorating, and democratic debate will keep getting easier to hijack.
5) Buildup to the next General Election
Yes. Believe it or not, the campaign for the next General Election will begin in 2026.
Will Keir Starmer be Prime Minister? Will Andy Burnham enter Westminster? Will Kemi Badenoch save her career, or be ousted? Can Nigel Farage sustain or even build on his polling lead? Is the Green Party surge permanent?
By the time an election is officially on, a huge amount has already been set. The narratives, the rules, the funding, the media environment, the assumptions about what’s possible.
If we wait until the final stretch, we’ll always be reacting. If we meet the moment now, we can shape what comes next. That’s why 2026 is a pivotal year.
What has to change
Proportional Representation remains a vital part of the solution. A fairer voting system would ensure that every vote counts, eliminate the need for tactical voting, and begin to rebuild faith in democratic participation.
But on its own, it isn’t enough. We also need to tackle the flow of money into politics so decisions are no longer shaped by the highest bidder. And we need serious action to combat disinformation, so our political debate is grounded in reality rather than fear and falsehoods.
Without these changes working together, our politics will never properly work for the people it is supposed to serve.
Change is possible. But it requires sustained effort, pressure, and public engagement long before polling day arrives.
Democracies are not lost overnight. They are hollowed out gradually when moments like this are allowed to pass without challenge.
That’s why your support, in all its forms, matters so much. Whether you’ve donated, shared information, written to your MP, or simply stayed engaged, you are part of the reason this work continues. Progress is built by people who refuse to look away.
