Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves Britain’s high streets, study finds

AI Summary
A new study by the University of Southampton warns that Labour risks electoral defeat if it fails to address the decline of Britain's high streets. The research, coupled with Guardian analysis, reveals that voters perceive high street decline as a significant local issue, third only to healthcare and crime. Since 2019, there are at least 8,000 fewer retail outlets, with traditional shops faltering due to increased online shopping and the rise of businesses like restaurants and vape shops. Labour MPs are reportedly concerned about the state of high streets, viewing them as symbolic of local prosperity. The government has promised a "high street strategy" to address the issue, acknowledging the challenges faced by businesses due to changing consumer habits.
Key Entities & Roles
Keywords
Sentiment Analysis
Source Transparency
This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).
Topic Connections
Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories