The Opinion Brief

Is Britain Ungovernable?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to Episode 13 of The Opinion Brief by More in Common. Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister. With Andy Burnham the clear frontrunner to take over in Number 10, we look at where a Burnham premiership would stand in the eyes of the public. We are also joined by Anand Menon, Chief Executive of UK in a Changing Europe, to discuss where public opinion stands on Brexit 10 years on from the EU referendum.

In this episode:

Can Burnham turn things around? We break down the latest opinion polling surrounding Burnham including fresh approval ratings and voting intention. Can Burnham restore faith in politics?
Could the UK rejoin the EU? Britons consider Brexit a failure and many are open to the idea of rejoining, but is this realistic?
Does hayfever affect voting behaviour?

📬 Have questions or suggestions?

Email us at hello@moreincommon.com

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

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Special Episode: The Makerfield Test

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Thursday’s by-election results are in, and the UK political landscape has just been thrown into a spin. In this special bonus episode of The Opinion Brief, Luke Tryl, Sophie Stowers, and Louis O'Geran break down Burnham's support, historic turnouts, surprise results in Scotland, and what this means for the future of Sir Keir Starmer, Reform UK, and the Conservative Party.

Makerfield turns out: What’s behind that remarkable turnout, and why what drove Andy Burnham’s support?

What do the results mean for Reform UK? (and for Restore Britain).

The SNP, the Tories, and the role of oil and gas in Scottish politics. What do the results in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry tell us?

A look ahead to the Greater Manchester mayoral election set for July 30th.

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

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By-Elections, Defence Spending & the Social Media Ban

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:00:00 GMT

In this jam-packed episode, we look at today’s by-elections in England and Scotland, the government’s social media ban, the security and defence spending crisis, plus how does polling actually work?

This week’s stories:

As Kemi Badenoch hits an approval rating high, why has the Conservative Party's support remained stagnant?

Defence spending fallout: In the wake of John Healey's resignation, the British public want increased defence spending but where do they think extra funds should come from?

Is the public in support of the government's social media ban for under 16s?

Triple by-election breakdown: focus group insights from Makerfield, plus could energy politics hinder the SNP in Aberdeen South or Arbroath and Broughty Ferry?

A pollster's guide to polling: the methodology behind the numbers.

The decline of childhood independence over generations.

📊 View all the charts, word clouds, and graphs mentioned in this episode on our website: moreincommon.org

📧 Have a question or a topic we should poll? Email us: hello@moreincommon.com

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

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Talking Makerfield with Lara Spirit

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:50:03 GMT

In this episode of The Opinion Brief, we're joined by Sunday Times deputy political editor Lara Spirit to discuss the dramatic Makerfield by-election one week out, Andy Burnham’s political future, Reform UK’s strategy, Nigel Farage, Robert Kenyon, Restore, and whether Labour could face a leadership crisis sooner than expected.

The episode also examines public reaction to the murder of Henry Novak, including new polling on policing, social cohesion, protests, and public trust in institutions.

Topics covered include:

Reform UK's polling bump.
The Makerfield by-election: Burnham's leadership ambitions and Reform's strategy.
The Henry Nowak case: Public opinion on the case, policing, and Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch's responses.
Football pride and the World Cup.

If you enjoy data-driven political analysis, polling, focus groups and deep dives into voter psychology, subscribe for weekly episodes.

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Where does Britain stand on migration?

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

From immigration to welfare and Tony Blair, this week’s episode dives into some of the biggest issues of the moment.

In this episode:

The public’s reaction to Tony Blair’s essay and how they might vote if he returned as Labour leader.
Common ground on welfare: Ian Porter from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation joins to discuss our latest research on public attitudes around the social security system.
Immigration: do Britons believe net migration has fallen, what immigration policies do they want to see, and could Burnham’s migration stance give him an edge in Makerfield?
0 to 100: how do Britons rate their own attractiveness, kindness and humour?

If you have any questions or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! You can email us on hello@moreincommon.com

*****

Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Bridging the Politics-Public Opinion Gap with Tim Shipman

Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

For this week’s episode, Tim Shipman, author and Political Editor of The Spectator, joins us to discuss British politics and public opinion. We also reveal what the country made of Rachel Reeves’ petrol station heckle.

In this episode:

The latest voting intention and party leader approval rating headlines.
Why can’t those in power deliver what the public wants? An in depth discussion with Tim Shipman.
“Not very British!”: did the Chancellor’s response to a heckler land well with the public?

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Make or Break(erfield)

Thu, 21 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

With Burnham now confirmed as the Labour candidate for the Makerfield by-election, this week’s episode takes a look at the constituency and Burnham’s chances. For our deep dive segment, we go into what recent elections tell us about exactly who votes for each party.

In this episode:

The latest voting intention and party leader approval ratings.
In a hypothetical election with Burnham as leader, could Labour beat Reform?
A rundown of the Makerfield constituency: what chance does Burnham have?
In an era of voter realignment, what does the average voter now look like?
Eurovision: do Britons care?

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Post-Election Fallout

Thu, 14 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

As Keir Starmer reels from Labour’s election losses, where do the public stand on the Prime Minister and a potential leadership challenge? We also have a post-election Q&A, answering the questions emailed in by our listeners.

In this episode:

How have the major parties and their leaders emerged from last week’s elections?
The latest public opinion on Labour Party chaos: does the public think Starmer should resign and who do they want to replace him?
Restore versus Reform: is Great Yarmouth a portent for Farage?
Divided councils: what does No Overall Control mean for councils such as Birmingham and West Sussex?
What do the votes in Scotland and Wales tell us about independence and devolution?

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Special Episode: The Election Debrief

Sun, 10 May 2026 03:30:00 GMT

Recorded as the final results trickled in, this extra episode of The Opinion Brief gives you fresh analysis of the historic 2026 local elections.

In this episode:

What do the results of local elections across England tell us about the trends shaping British politics?
How are Green and Reform voter bases changing, and what's surprising about their gains in these elections?
How should the SNP be feeling after their result in Scotland?
How has Reform UK managed to break through in Wales and Scotland?
What happened to Welsh Labour, and is this the beginning of a new era in Welsh politics?
How might all of these dynamics play out in the next general election?

If you'd like to skip ahead to Scotland or Wales:

Scotland - 44 minutes
Wales - 1 hour 2 minutes

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Final pre-election rundown with Sam Freedman

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:59:44 GMT

An early release before voters across Britain head to the polls tomorrow for the 2026 local elections and parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales.

As the political landscape shifts beneath the feet of the major parties, Luke Tryl is joined by Sam Freedman, elections expert and co-author of the “Comment is Freed” substack, for a rundown of the final predictions and the key stories to watch on the night.

In this episode, we cover:

2026 election insights: including our most recent polls in Scotland, Wales and England
The London boroughs to watch, and which early results will best tell us how bad Labour’s woes are.
Which areas could signify a major Reform breakthrough beyond their heartlands?
How much are the Greens winning over Labour’s progressive flank?
Scotland’s “meh” election - can the SNP secure a Holyrood majority?
Is Plaid or Reform set to top the “change election” in Wales?
Green Party momentum: why has Zack Polanski’s approval rating taken a dive and how might it affect tomorrow’s votes?
National Treasures: a birthday tribute to Sir David Attenborough and what the public really thinks of British icons.

Subscribe to The Opinion Brief for our special election results edition dropping this Saturday!

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Britain's New Populist Right

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This week we welcome The Opinion Brief’s first guest, discuss the rise of Britain's populist right, and ask why the “Badenoch Bounce” isn't lifting the Tories’ vote share.

In this episode:

The Badenoch Bounce: How has Kemi Badenoch achieved her steady approval rating rise, and why has the Conservative party’s support stayed flat?

How to Build a Voter: From promiscuous voters to the Conservatives’ and Reform’s new electoral battlefront over elderly voters, Owen Winter talks us through The Economist’s new tool to model voter behaviour as British politics becomes increasingly unpredictable. You can check out their build-a-voter tool here.

Dissenting Disruptors: Just who are Britain’s new populist right?

The Crisp Index: Which voters prefer what crisp?

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Elections 2026 and The Defence vs. Welfare Debate

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode of The Opinion Brief, we dive into the data behind the shifting tectonic plates of British politics. From a Reform UK lead in the polls to the "third rail" debate over cutting welfare to fund defence, we break down what the public actually thinks.

In this episode:

The Mandelson Scandal: Why the public sees it as a "rigged system" and what it means for Keir Starmer’s perceived strength.
National Voting Intention: Reform UK hits 27%, moving 5 points ahead of the Conservatives.
Defence vs. Welfare: Would the public sacrifice the triple lock pension to fund the military?
Elections Deep Dive: MRP model projections for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd.
The "Milk" Index: How your choice of milk (Oat vs. Cow) predicts your vote.

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Is the "Broken Social Contract" Fuelling Reform UK and Greens Support?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In the first-ever episode of The Opinion Brief, Luke Tryl (UK Director of More In Common), plus Rhiannon McQuone and Louis O'Geran dive into the data behind Britain’s changing political landscape.

We explore the latest MRP polling results which suggest a seismic shift in UK politics, with Reform UK and the Green Party challenging the traditional status quo. Why is the "social contract" feeling broken for both graduates and the working class? Plus, we discuss the surprising public consensus on banning social media for under-16s and smartphones in schools.

In this episode:

The "Reform UK Plateau": Is Nigel Farage’s support peaking?
The Green Wave: Why students and women are flocking to Zack Polanski’s party.
The MRP Deep Dive: 16 Cabinet ministers (including David Lammy and Wes Streeting) on the brink.
The Marmite Test: What your toast spread says about your voting intention.

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For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

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Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Opinion Brief

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:13:32 GMT

Welcome to The Opinion Brief, from More in Common.

Get ready for a deep dive into the heart of public opinion with "The Opinion Brief," the brand-new podcast from More in Common. Hosted by Luke Tryl, this isn't just another show about politics, it's about the people: what they think, why they think it, and the trends shaping our world. Every Thursday morning, "The Opinion Brief" will unpack the biggest shifts in public sentiment, featuring exclusive new polling, candid focus group conversations, and insightful guest speakers to break down what the data mean.

Subscribe to "The Opinion Brief" on your favourite podcast platform.

*****

Access todays graphs, charts and images: https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/newsletter/the-opinion-brief-podcast/

For more from the podcast: https://linktr.ee/OpinionBriefPod

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.