From David Cameron to Keir Starmer, Britain has cycled through six Prime Ministers in a decade. All started from a referendum gamble which became a period of economic uncertainty and distrust.
Interactive Flourish Charts in order of appearance:
The revolving door at Downing Street began after Brexit
Pictogram chart showing the tenure of Prime Ministers, from David Cameron in 2010 to Keir Starmer’s resignation in June 2026. Each dot represents one day as Prime Minister, and the colours represent different Prime Ministers. I deemed it more significant to the piece to remove the legend and focus on the revolving door of Prime Ministers rather than on the party or the person themselves. David Cameron occupied the most dots from 2010 to mid-2016, followed by Theresa May from 2016 to 2019. Boris Johnson served from 2019 to September 2022, followed by a very short tenure for Liz Truss, which lasted only 49 days. Rishi Sunak served from October 2022 to July 2024, before Keir Starmer took office in a majority general election.
The chart shows that since the 2016 Brexit Referendum, the UK has experienced more frequent changes in Prime Minister, with five leaders serving since David Cameron’s resignation.
In the EU Referendum, the UK voted to leave
Pie visualisation of the 2016 EU referendum result, showing a narrow majority voting to leave the European Union. Leave won 17.4 million votes, at 51.9 per cent, while Remain attained 16.1 million votes, at 48.1 per cent. The chart highlights the closeness of the result and the decision that led to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Results of the UK General Election before the Cost-of-Living Crisis
UK Parliament seating chart of the 2010, 2015, and 2017 General Election results. A significant visualisation showing the parliamentary dynamics that led to the EU Referendum and the fall of Brexit.
The inherent insecurity of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition led by David Cameron was the catalyst for the EU Referendum. The Liberal Democrats lost the trust of British citizens and almost 50 seats in the 2015 General Election, and David Cameron, under intense pressure to deliver another majority, promised a Brexit vote.
Theresa May’s Hung parliament tends to be overshadowed by Brexit and by misplaced blame for her performance. While drafts and deals were rejected repeatedly, most likely due to a hung parliament.
Quarterly GDP Growth in the UK
Line chart showing quarterly UK GDP growth from 2006 to the mid-2020s. Growth fluctuates around zero for most of the period, with a small decline following the 2008 financial crisis and a visible, fluctuating change immediately after the 2016 Brexit Referendum. The most dramatic movement occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when GDP fell by more than 19 per cent in the first lockdown before rebounding sharply up to 17 per cent growth after restrictions were lifted. A similar dip and rise occurs during the second UK Lockdown, before the movement returns to a more fluctuating pattern.
Average British Sterling exchange rate with the Euro
Line chart showing the monthly average value of the British pound against the euro from 2013 to 2025. The pound rises steadily to a peak of 1.39 before the Queen announces the bill for the EU Referendum and before the Brexit Referendum campaign. Following the announcement and eventual vote to leave the European Union in June 2016, the pound fell sharply and remained at a lower level for the remainder of the period.
The chart highlights key referendum events, including the EU summit in Brussels, where reporters wrote discussing tensions surrounding the Queen’s Speech, David Cameron’s announcement showing the party does not fully align with leaving the EU, and ministers can campaign on either side. The rise after local elections, and then the drastic drop after the UK voted to leave the EU. The highlighted section continues during the very long period of negotiations until the deal was signed in December 2019.
Results of the UK General Election during the Cost-of-Living Crisis
UK Parliament seating chart of the 2019 and 2024 General Election results. The complex instability of party lines and British politics is clearly shown by two large majorities in the years and the stark transformation: Conservatives down 244 seats to 365, and Labour up from 203 to 412 seats in 2024.
Another significant hidden indicator is how Nigel Farage rebranded UKIP’s zero votes into his new party, Reform UK, which jumped to 5 votes.
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