The Global Story

World Service,·20 May 2026,·26 mins

Available for over a year

In the decade since Britain voted to leave the European Union, the country has cycled through six prime ministers, victims of both their own decisions,. global pressures.

Now, Sir Keir Starmer, the current prime minister. leader of the left-leaning Labour party, could be the seventh leader to fall, under pressure from members of his own party who feel he has failed to tackle key issues like the cost of living, immigration, and sluggish economic growth.

To top it off, recent local elections across the country proved disastrous for Labour as it lost ground to populist parties on both the left. right, and only two years after a landslide victory some of Sir Keir’s own party members are calling for him to step down.

How did British politics become so volatile? BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale joins us to explain.

Producers: Hannah Moore and Aron Keller

Executive producer: Richard Fenton-Smith

Senior news editor: China Collins