Andy Burnham is stepping into power with a daunting challenge. A major long-running study paints a bleak picture of Britain, revealing a nation gripped by distrust, pessimism and anger. Millions feel the social contract has been broken, expect the worst from politicians and believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.

The findings, collected over more than 50 years by Ipsos through the Understanding Society study run by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, now provide the benchmark for Burnham's time in office. The big question is simple: can he make Britain feel better about itself?

The report suggests trust has collapsed to alarming levels. Back in 1989, a third of people believed politicians were generally good people. Today, that figure has slumped to just 20%, underlining the scale of public disillusionment.

The survey also exposes striking contradictions in public opinion. Voters want lower taxes while demanding better public services and higher living standards. Sweden is admired as a model nation, yet there is little appetite for Swedish-style taxation, with Britain's tax burden sitting at around 33% of GDP compared with roughly 42% in Sweden.

Ipsos director of UK politics in public affairs Gideon Skinner warned that expectations are colliding with reality. He said people still expect world-class public services such as the NHS, even as support for the taxes needed to fund them continues to weaken.

The divide between those favouring collective welfare and those preferring greater personal responsibility has also shifted. Support for collective provision has fallen from 54% in 1989 to 46%, while backing for individuals looking after themselves has risen from 40% to 47%.

Yet attitudes remain full of contradictions. Support for a mainly socialist society has climbed to 57%, ten percentage points higher than in 1989. More people also favour similar incomes and rewards for everyone than they did decades ago.

Britons are also becoming less convinced that hard work alone guarantees success. Only 26% now believe the best people rise to the top regardless of their background, compared with 52% in 1989. The survey points to growing concern that birth and inheritance increasingly shape people's opportunities.

Perhaps most striking is the nation's deepening gloom. Pessimism has reached its highest level in half a century, with 72% expecting a world war within the next 25 years. Even so, Ipsos says the clear majority of Britons still report being happy with their lives, while the country has become more socially tolerant since the 1980s.

Skinner warned that today's mood feels different from previous periods of political dissatisfaction. He said the danger is that pessimism could become embedded as part of Britain's national identity.

The article argues that widespread misunderstanding of taxes and public spending is making matters worse. Political analyst Peter Kellner, examining Office for National Statistics data, found that 53% of people receive more from the state than they contribute once taxes, benefits, pensions and services such as the NHS, education, social care and transport subsidies are included.

Yet only 12% believe they receive more than they pay in. Even among over-65s, who are estimated to benefit most, few recognise the scale of support they receive through public services.

Burnham has called for a new sense of national unity, common purpose and positivity. The article argues that rebuilding confidence will require better public understanding alongside practical measures.

Rather than repeating the approach associated with Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, who warned voters about difficult economic choices and high debts, Burnham is urged to focus on visible acts of goodwill. Proposed measures include cuts to electricity bills, lower bus fares, tax reductions for state pensioners, business rates relief for pubs and clubs, and support for music venues as part of a broader effort to lift the nation's mood and rebuild faith in government.

So many British people have it better than they think – it’s up to Burnham to make them see that

1 minute ago, bannork said:

The divide between those favouring collective welfare and those preferring greater personal responsibility has also shifted. Support for collective provision has fallen from 54% in 1989 to 46%, while backing for individuals looking after themselves has risen from 40% to 47%.

Yet attitudes remain full of contradictions. Support for a mainly socialist society has climbed to 57%, ten percentage points higher than in 1989. More people also favour similar incomes and rewards for everyone than they did decades ago

The empire has fallen. It was taken down by globalization and the huge welfare state.

3 minutes ago, bannork said:

The article argues that widespread misunderstanding of taxes and public spending is making matters worse. Political analyst Peter Kellner, examining Office for National Statistics data, found that 53% of people receive more from the state than they contribute once taxes, benefits, pensions and services such as the NHS, education, social care and transport subsidies are included.

Long live the large welfare state.