Chancellor Rachel Reeves is confronting a devastating crisis of confidence as explosive new polling reveals the British public has overwhelmingly rejected her economic strategy. The damning figures expose a nation feeling financially trapped and hostile to tax increases.
A comprehensive YouGov survey has delivered a brutal verdict: a staggering 65% of Britons stand firmly against any further tax rises, despite the government wrestling with a daunting £50 billion black hole in the public finances.
Public Sentiment Turns Against the Chancellor
The political fallout for Reeves is severe and personal. The poll uncovers that a majority of the electorate—55%—believe she should be sacked from her role as Chancellor. This startling figure indicates a profound lack of faith in her ability to steer the nation's economy just months into the job.
In a candid admission that underscores the government's challenges, Reeves herself conceded that many Britons feel "stuck." This sentiment reflects the grim reality of stagnant wages, a soaring cost-of-living, and deep anxiety about the country's fiscal future.
A £50 Billion Problem and Few Popular Solutions
The core of the dilemma lies in the enormous £50 billion shortfall. The government is boxed in by a electorate that is simultaneously demanding better public services and lower taxes, leaving ministers with a near-impossible political equation to solve.
This poll sends an unequivocal message to Westminster that the public's appetite for austerity or tax hikes to balance the books has evaporated. The findings suggest that any attempt to push through significant tax increases could trigger a furious political backlash.
The data presents a critical juncture for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Chancellor. They must now find a way to stabilise the nation's finances without alienating an already sceptical public, a task that appears increasingly difficult with every new poll.
