Here’s what they think you can expect from the next 12 months.
Amanda Akass, political correspondent, on the prime minist
The moment of maximum jeopardy will come during May’s elections: catastrophic losses could lead to an open revolt against the PM.
It’s entirely possible the Welsh Labour government will be defeated by Plaid Cymru – losing power in Cardiff for the first time. And with Labour’s resurgence in Scotland fading fast, it looks like the SNP will hold on in Holyrood.
Depending on the scale of Reform UK’s success in the local elections, Kemi Badenoch may also face a leadership challenge.
The issue of illegal migration will continue to dominate political debate. The PM is hoping tougher policies and new action from French police will start to stop the boats. If not, the pressure will only intensify.
Promised attempts to finally deliver on welfare reform will be another moment of peril, with reviews into personal independence payments and youth unemployment due to report back.
Starmer will continue to stay busy on the international stage, with ongoing efforts to forge a closer relationship with the EU, bolster support for Ukraine, and also move closer to China – with a controversial visit to Beijing expected.
Finally, the long-awaited assisted dying bill is due to become law in 2026 – though with so much opposition in the Lords, the bill may run out of parliamentary time.
World politics in 2026 will be dominated by one of the biggest crises in transatlantic relations since World War Two as a chasm opens between Europe and America under Donald Trump.
The US president apparently believes European civilisation is in danger because of mass migration, multicultural woke politics and European weakness.
The recent White House national security strategy is an implicitly racist document insinuating that European NATO countries cannot be relied on if their non-white majorities are eclipsed.
