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Disillusioned by political scandals and political U-turns, voters are increasingly turning to emerging political parties that better reflect their values, driving a nationwide surge in support for smaller parties.
Since 1922, the UK has been dominated by two major political parties: the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. From 1979 to 1997, the Conservatives governed the UK. From 1997 to 2010, Labour governed the UK. Then the Conservatives – and now it’s Labour again. It seems to be a never-ending cycle of Labour, Conservative, Labour, Con…
Under the First-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system, the voices of smaller political parties such as the Liberal Democrats and Reform are often sidelined. This entrenches two-party dominance, making it difficult for alternative parties to gain meaningful representation. As political scientist Duverger argued, the FPTP electoral system “destroys smaller parties” because voters “do not want to waste their votes on losers”. This can lead to tactical voting for one of the two leading contestants, ultimately hurting the prospect of small parties ever gaining real power.
But what if all this is about to change? What if a smaller political party managed to defy the odds and win enough seats to become a key player in Westminster?
The rise of Reform UK over the past few years makes it clear that Nigel Farage’s right-wing party is challenging the traditional two-party dominance of the Labour Party and the Conservatives. Many people now believe that the Reform Party is becoming the true opposition to the Labour Party and that the Conservatives are increasingly struggling to maintain their visibility on the political landscape. One only has to look at the 2025 Local Council Election Results to see that Reform’s popularity with the public has surged dramatically within the past few months.
Reform isn’t the only party gaining ground. Under Sir. Ed Davey, 59, the Liberal Democrats secured 72 seats in the 2024 General Election – its best result in a generation. The outcome highlights a renewed appetite for centrist politics.
Other minor parties are also gaining traction among the UK public. In June 2025, Ben Habib, the 60-year-old former Deputy of Reform, launched Advance UK, a new party positioned to the right of Reform, following a high-profile fallout with Nigel Farage. Meanwhile, Zarah Sultana, the 31-year-old Independent MP for Coventry South, has joined forces with former Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, aged 76, to form a new left-wing party named Your Party.
Although these parties are relatively new, their emergence underscores a growing appetite for alternative political movements and fresh perspectives.
Many voters feel disillusioned with the Labour and Conservative parties due to a string of political scandals which have undermined the reputation and trust of the two major parties.
One of the most prominent examples is the Partygate scandal, where members of the UK Government broke their own COVID-19 laws during lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. The scandal contributed to a significant decline in Boris Johnson’s popularity and ultimately damaged the Conservative Party’s reputation.
Voters are also frustrated by political parties and politicians consistently U-turning on key promises – further undermining trust and fuelling frustration in the Labour and Conservative parties. Since January 2025, Sir. Keir Starmer has faced high levels of backlash among members of the public for refusing to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs. On 6 January 2025, the prime minister accused politicians calling for a national inquiry of “jumping on a bandwagon” and “amplifying what the far-right is saying”. However, on 14 July 2025, the PM announced that there would be a national inquiry into the grooming gangs after all – a U-turn which critics argue makes the Labour Government look untrustworthy.
For many people, the traditional two-party dominance of Labour and the Conservatives remains a key part of UK politics. For as long as anyone can remember, the morning after election day can bring one certainty: power resting with either Labour or the Conservatives. However, this could all change by the time of the 2029 General Election. There is a growing trend in UK politics that sees members of the UK public drawn towards smaller parties, such as Reform, which offer a clear set of objectives and a specific political agenda for the public.
Whether a smaller political party, most likely the Reform Party, will evolve into one half of a new electoral duopoly or the rise of smaller political parties will spark a shift towards genuine multi-party competition, only time will tell. One thing, however, is clear: the traditional two-party dominance by Labour and the Conservatives is no longer safe.
Edited by Emily Hone
Image: ‘2024 General Election in Kingston upon Hull East Holderness Road Methodist Church Doors’, by Hullian11, // CC BY-SA 4.0.
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