Democratic midterm wins unsettle Burnham's Labour government in Britain
The Democrats' success in the U.S. midterm elections has given Britain's Labour Party both encouragement and cause for concern. Allies of Prime Minister Andy Burnham see backing for his cost-of-living focus, but warn of voter hostility toward incumbents.
Britain's governing Labour Party reacted last week to the Democrats' showing in the U.S. midterm elections with a mix of relief and unease, Politico Europe reports. Allies of Prime Minister Andy Burnham read the results as a rebuke to Donald Trump's politics and as support for their own approach, but also as a warning for the government in London.
Labour figures, who spoke anonymously, point to the Democrats' emphasis on living costs as the key to their success. Burnham, who replaced Keir Starmer as Labour leader earlier this year, calls his administration a "cost of living government". It has introduced modest steps, such as cutting food tariffs and offering money off energy bills. One Labour MP said voters need to see a government at least "trying".
Warning signs
Analysts also point to risks. Claire Ainsley, a former Starmer adviser now at the Progressive Policy Institute think tank, noted that many Britons still do not feel any relief on living costs, while interest rates are rising. Adam Terry, executive director of the Future Governance Forum think tank, said the government has not yet addressed structural issues such as the sluggish economy, which raises the stakes for Burnham's promised ten-year plan. Some critics have said last month's budget lacked ambition. A general election is due by 2029.
Deborah Mattinson, a Labour peer and pollster, cautioned that Trump-style politics will not fade until the problems that feed it are fixed.
Foreign policy uncertainty
Burnham has said he cannot bring down living costs until the conflict in the Middle East is resolved. Two government sources said Britain will keep up quiet diplomacy for the rest of the year, including talks with G7 and G20 partners. One minister predicted Trump's election setback "will not make much difference" to his thinking. Concern in London has also been fed by uncertainty over Secretary of State Marco Rubio's future and by Stephen Miller's installation as Trump's chief of staff.
