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

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Michael Goodier and Josh HallidayJanuary 28, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves Britain’s high streets, study finds

AI Summary

long article 5 min

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.

Keywords

high streets 100% retail decline 80% general election 70% business rates 60% online shopping 60% local issues 50% consumer habits 50% economic decline 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative
Score: -0.40

Source Transparency

Source
The Guardian - World News
Political Lean
Center-Left (-0.40)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%
Geographic Perspective
Britain's high streets

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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