Now is not the time for a Labour leadership election | Polly Toynbee

"The dominant political force sweeping across Europe is the throw the bastards out party, whoever happens to be in power. Discontent and distrust spread as global democracy declines. Only 6.6% of the world's people live in a full democracy, according to the Economist's global index, down from 12.5% 10 years ago. Europe is still the most democratic place, but it's turbulent."

"A number of European countries have thrown out old governments in the past three years, including Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the UK (Starmer is Britain's sixth prime minister in less than a decade). Most are still stuck in a state of post-2008-crash stagnation, more recently compounded by the pandemic, inflation, energy price rises, worsening housing crises and a cost of living squeeze."

"Only last year, Britain was heralded as the strong and stable nation of Europe, with Labour commanding a stonking great majority. As a result, the shock is all the worse now that, 16 months later, support for the governmenthas plummeted to 18%, falling a frightening 15 points behind Reform UK. Labour has sustained the worst-ever fall in support for a newly elected government, says the pollster Prof John Curtice."

Electorates across Europe are replacing incumbent governments in a wave of anti-incumbent voting driven by widespread discontent and distrust. Only 6.6% of the world’s population now live in full democracies, down from 12.5% a decade ago. Europe remains the most democratic region but is experiencing significant political turbulence. Multiple countries, including Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the UK, have changed governments in recent years. Prolonged post-2008 stagnation, the pandemic, inflation, energy price rises, housing crises and a cost-of-living squeeze have intensified voter anger. Britain’s Labour government has suffered a steep drop in support amid missteps, inherited fiscal problems, Brexit fallout and departmental failures.

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