One Year On – Labour’s Return to Power Faces Public Scrutiny
marks one full year since the Labour Party returned to power in the UK for the first time since 2010. After a landslide win that many considered a mandate for radical change, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government have spent 12 months navigating crises, overhauling key institutions, and confronting international challenges head-on.
Now, the Guardian is asking the British public to weigh in, collecting voice notes and testimonies that capture how people across the UK feel about Labour’s performance so far.
A Year of Bold Moves — or Broken Promises?
A Government of U-Turns or Strategy?
From policy reversals to surprising reforms, Labour’s first year in power has been anything but predictable. Among the most talked-about developments:
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A sharp U-turn on welfare cuts, after initial proposals met fierce backlash from unions and backbenchers.
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The controversial decision to scrap NHS England and replace it with a new decentralised health administration.
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Labour’s proactive (and risky) involvement in international peace efforts in Ukraine, aiming to restore UK diplomatic influence abroad.
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Ongoing efforts to balance diplomacy with Donald Trump’s second presidency, particularly amid tense trade negotiations.
Public reaction has been mixed. While some praise Labour’s ambition and stability after years of Conservative rule, others say the party has not delivered the transformation they were promised.
What We Want to Know – Your Take Matters
The Guardian is opening its platform to citizens from all walks of life. Whether you supported Labour, voted for another party, or didn’t vote at all, your opinion could help shape the national conversation.
What You Can Share
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Do you think Labour has lived up to expectations?
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Have their domestic or foreign policy decisions affected your personal life?
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Are you surprised by any moves — positive or negative — the party has made?
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Has your support for Labour grown, wavered, or stayed the same?
Your honest reflections, concerns, or applause — whether it’s about the economy, the NHS, education, taxes, or Britain’s global role — are all welcome.
How to Participate – Send Your Voice Note
The Guardian is collecting short voice notes from readers across the UK.
Here’s how to take part:
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Record a voice note on your phone (2 minutes or less).
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Share your name, age, and general location (e.g. “Jess, 34, from Liverpool”).
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Say how Labour’s year in government has affected you or your community.
You can submit your voice note via the Guardian’s website or email it to the Community Team.
Selected responses may be featured in an upcoming story or podcast episode reflecting the nation’s mood as Labour completes its first year.
Why This Moment Matters
The Verdict Begins Before the Next Election
While the next general election may still be years away, Labour’s performance now will shape the party’s legacy — and the public’s trust. A government’s first year is often its most defining: it sets the tone, outlines priorities, and tests the limits of campaign promises.
Labour’s time in office so far has been marked by both vision and volatility. The decisions made now will affect healthcare, housing, climate, education, and Britain’s role in a shifting global order.
This is why the Guardian wants to hear directly from the people who matter most — you.
Britain Reflects on a Critical Year
Twelve months ago, many voters saw Labour’s victory as a turning point after over a decade of Conservative governance. But has Labour lived up to the moment? Or has the weight of expectation — and global instability — proven too heavy?
The answer, perhaps, lies not in polling numbers or political spin, but in the real voices of everyday Britons, speaking up about how this government has shaped their lives.
Whether you’re frustrated or hopeful, indifferent or inspired, now is the time to share your view.