Honestly, if you haven’t checked the news since early 2024, you might be in for a bit of a shock when you look at the benches in the House of Commons. For nearly a decade and a half, we all got used to a certain shade of blue dominating the screen. But things have changed.
The Labour Party is currently the party in power in the UK.
They aren't just "in power" by a slim margin, either. Since the landslide general election on July 4, 2024, Sir Keir Starmer has been leading a government with a massive working majority. Right now, as we move through January 2026, the political landscape is less about "who won" and much more about "what on earth are they actually doing with that power?"
Which Party in Power in UK: The Current Reality
Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister. He’s been in 10 Downing Street for about 18 months now. To give you an idea of the scale of his control, Labour holds over 400 seats in the House of Commons. That is a huge buffer. When the government wants to pass a law, they generally can, provided their own MPs don't stage a massive rebellion.
It’s a stark contrast to the previous few years. Remember the constant threat of "no-confidence" votes? The revolving door of Conservative leaders? That particular brand of chaos has mostly faded, replaced by a different kind of pressure: the pressure of delivery.
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People often ask, "Okay, but who's the actual opposition?"
The Conservative Party, or the Tories, are currently the Official Opposition. They are led by Kemi Badenoch, who took over the reins from Rishi Sunak in late 2024. They’ve got just over 120 seats. It’s their lowest point in decades. Then you’ve got the Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, sitting with 72 seats. They are feeling pretty confident these days, often acting as a loud voice on social care and the environment.
A Breakdown of the Numbers (Roughly)
If you like the hard data, here’s how the main parties stack up in early 2026:
- Labour Party: ~404 seats (The ruling majority)
- Conservative Party: ~118 seats (Official Opposition)
- Liberal Democrats: ~72 seats
- Scottish National Party (SNP): 9 seats (A massive fall from grace compared to 2019)
- Reform UK: 5-6 seats (Small in number, but they make a lot of noise in the media)
Why "Winning" Was the Easy Part
You’ve probably heard the phrase "the honeymoon period." For Starmer, that ended pretty quickly. While being the party in power in the UK gives you the keys to the kingdom, it also means you own every single problem. And Britain has a lot of them.
The government is currently grappling with what analysts call a "permacrisis." It sounds dramatic, but basically, it means everything is hitting at once. We’re talking about brittle public services, a housing market that's still a nightmare for anyone under 40, and an international scene that feels like a powder keg.
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One of the big things Labour is pushing right now is a "reset" with the European Union. They aren't trying to rejoin—Starmer has been very clear about that—but they are desperately trying to smooth over the trade friction that’s been gunking up the economy. Just this month, there’s been a lot of talk about a "Swiss-style" alignment for certain sectors. It's a tightrope walk. Go too far, and the "Leave" voters get angry; do too little, and the economy stays sluggish.
The Big Issues Occupying Number 10
If you walked into a Cabinet meeting today, you wouldn't just hear about taxes. You'd hear about:
- The NHS Waiting Lists: This was the big promise. "Fix the NHS." They’ve poured money into it, but the progress is slow. People are still waiting months for operations, and that's starting to grate on the public's patience.
- The Economy and Growth: Everything for this government rests on growth. They need the economy to expand so they can tax more without raising rates. It's a gamble.
- AI and Tech Regulation: This is a surprisingly hot topic. The Science and Tech Secretary, Liz Kendall, has been in the House recently talking about cracking down on AI-generated "deepfakes" and regulating platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
- Energy and "Great British Energy": You’ve likely seen the headlines about the new state-owned energy company. It's a cornerstone of their plan to reach "Net Zero" while keeping bills down.
What Most People Get Wrong About the UK Government
There’s a common misconception that because Labour has such a huge majority, they can do whatever they want. In theory? Yes. In practice? Not really.
The UK is still heavily constrained by its "inheritance." The debt is high. Interest rates, while lower than their 2023 peak, are still a burden. The government can't just print money to fix the schools. This has led to some "gloomy" rhetoric from the Prime Minister. He’s spent a lot of time telling us how "broken" things are, which is a bit of a double-edged sword. It explains why things aren't fixed yet, but it also makes the country feel a bit miserable.
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Also, don't ignore the "fringe" parties. Even though Reform UK and the Greens have relatively few MPs, they are siphoning off support in local elections. In places like Wales and Scotland, the political map is looking very messy for the big two.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Knowing which party in power in uk is one thing, but how does it affect your life?
- Watch the Spring Statement: Mark March 3 on your calendar. This will be the next big moment where the government shows its hand on taxes and spending.
- Housing Policy Changes: If you're looking to buy or rent, keep an eye on the "New Towns" initiatives. Labour is trying to bypass local planning blockers to get more houses built.
- Employment Rights: There’s a big push for "stronger parental leave" and "day one" rights for workers. If you're an employee, your handbook might be changing soon.
- EU Travel and Trade: Keep an eye on the "Youth Experience Scheme" talks. If you have kids or are a young professional, there might be new ways to live and work in Europe that didn't exist a year ago.
The era of Tory dominance is over for now. We are firmly in the "Starmer Years." Whether those years will be remembered for a genuine national renewal or just a more polite version of the same old problems is the question everyone is asking. For now, the Labour Party holds the steering wheel—they just have to figure out how to drive the "wonky shopping trolley" of the British state without crashing it.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
Check the official UK Parliament "State of the Parties" page for the most up-to-date seat counts, as by-elections can shift the numbers slightly month-to-month. You should also look at the Hansard records if you want to see exactly what was said in the latest debates regarding AI regulation or the NHS.