DARTFORD, England — As the Fourth of July approaches, a cloud of skepticism hangs over the political landscapes of the United States and the United Kingdom, much like a damp summer mist.
On this day, the citizens of Britain will cast their votes to elect a new Parliament, with the Labour party expected to take over after 14 years of Conservative rule. Meanwhile, Americans, divided by the political rematch between Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump, will celebrate Independence Day with traditional barbecues and fireworks, before heading to the polls on November 5th.
Despite the political tension, there is much to commemorate on the Fourth of July for one of the world’s largest democracies and the ancient kingdom that birthed it, 248 years after their separation. Both nations, deeply rooted in the principles of the Magna Carta, have evolved into close friends and steadfast allies.
However, the journey to this point has been fraught with challenges. The lead-up to July 4, 2024, provides a glimpse into the pressures faced by voters in both countries.
“I’m quite disheartened, to be honest. I don’t believe any of the parties know what they’re doing,” said Jacqueline Richards, a 77-year-old resident of Dartford, England, commenting on her country’s election. “And looking at the situation in America, it’s not much better, is it?”
At its heart, every democratic election is about who the voters trust to govern their country, allowing them to focus on their personal lives.
Debates serve as real-time assessments of candidate competence, as was evident during the recent showdown between Biden and Trump. Biden’s faltering performance did little to inspire confidence, even among his staunchest supporters. Trump, on the other hand, continued to propagate falsehoods about the January 6, 2021, insurrection and his presidential record.
This is just one example of why distrust and a sense of resignation pervade the emotional landscape in both countries, according to voters interviewed by the Associated Press. From the battleground state of Wisconsin to the bellwether town of Dartford, England, voters expressed that years of misinformation, scandal, and deceit have left them jaded about their voting rights and the future.
In Britain, a survey published on June 12 by the National Centre for Social Research revealed that 45% of respondents “almost never” trust governments to prioritize the nation’s interests, a significant increase from 34% in 2019. The pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, and the country’s cost-of-living crisis have all impacted living standards and the economy. Two Tory prime ministers were ousted, and Boris Johnson resigned rather than face expulsion from Parliament over controversial parties at 10 Downing Street during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Keir Starmer, the opposition leader, acknowledged during a May 27 debate that a vote against the Conservative government is not necessarily a vote for Labour. Voters, he said, are still questioning, “Has Labour changed enough? Do I trust them with my money, our borders, our security?”
Starmer’s response was a resounding yes, but British voters expressed their uncertainty to the AP in the weeks leading up to the election.
“They make promises upon promises, but nothing ever changes,” said Shane Bassett, a 34-year-old bar manager in Dartford. “Regardless of who gets elected — Labour or Conservative — it’s all the same. They all lie.”
In the United States, trust has been undermined by increasing political polarization, misinformation, and Trump’s lies about Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, all of which have been amplified by social media.
A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that only about two in 10 Americans trust the U.S. government to do what is right “just about always” or “most of the time.” Approximately six in 10 trust the government “only some of the time,” and about two in 10 say they can never trust the government to do what’s right.
According to a 2023 poll by AP-NORC, nearly three-quarters of American adults blame the news media for dividing the nation. Many have learned to avoid discussing politics at family gatherings and other social events. Even Fourth of July celebrations, a national holiday commemorating the 1776 ratification of the Declaration of Independence from Britain, are subject to this practice of restraint.
In Racine, Wisconsin, Rebecca Eisel, 48, questioned how the vast United States, with 262 million eligible voters and the world’s largest economy, ended up with a rematch that few Americans desired.
“How did our democratic process result in something that the majority of the population doesn’t like?” Eisel asked while dining at the Maple Table restaurant.
Kathleen Barker, 64, last felt excited about a candidate when Ronald Reagan was running for office. He served two terms in the 1980s and left office referring to the country as a “shining city on a hill.”
“He was a very real person, very respectful, family-oriented,” she said while walking her dog near the river in Racine. “You could relate to him. He felt like just that average man.”
Now, she says, the “nasty back-and-forth” between Biden and Trump — who each insist the other is unfit for office — suggest neither can be trusted to address the major problems facing the United States.
“People are poor. The country is struggling. And this is their focus?” she asked.
Emmanuel McKinstry, a 58-year-old businessperson, expressed similar frustration. The economy, he said while waiting in line to hear Trump speak in Racine, is his top concern. The next morning, McKinstry said he’d still vote for Trump — albeit with reservations.
“I’m tired of politicians working for themselves and not really getting down and asking people what we really want,” McKinstry said. “We’re putting you in office. What are you gonna do for us?”
The last presidential candidate to excite high school teacher Marcus T. West, 49, was Democrat Barack Obama, who served two terms.
“He understood the importance of educators. He had good intentions,” West said over breakfast at Mrs. Betty’s Kitchen. “He’s the last person I felt spoke like me, spoke to me, passed policies that I liked.”
This year, he said of Biden and Trump, “they aren’t looking out for us.”
In Britain, the distrust is less personal. It’s about scandal — think Johnson and “partygate” — and the cost-of-living crisis.
On May 22, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that inflation had dropped to 2.3% for the first time in three years and that he was dissolving Parliament immediately, triggering an election on July 4.
However, what people remember about that day are the visuals. As Sunak spoke in the rain, without an umbrella, protesters nearly drowned out his words by playing “Things Can Only Get Better,” a rival Labour campaign song from the Tony Blair era.
“Things can only get wetter,” was the headline on several news sites.
Shane Bassett, the manager at the Wat Tyler Pub, named after a leader of the Peasants’ Revolt that started on that site, is concerned. He says you’re not supposed to talk about politics in British pubs — perhaps the equivalent of the American reluctance to stir up trouble by discussing politics at parties.
But with no customers to offend at lunchtime, Bassett spoke his mind.
The pub’s energy bill last winter jumped from its usual 800 pounds a month (about $1,000) to 1,200 pounds (about $1,500). The pub has struggled to attract customers since the Christmas season, and Bassett believes the owners are likely to sell the place just four years after buying it.
“I’m not very optimistic,” he said. Considering his family members in Canada, Bassett added: “If I could leave the country, I would.”
Bad punctuation and grammar, agree. both countries have a history of political scandals and corruption that have led to mistrust in their leaders.
Disagree, not all voters share the same historical ties and reasons for distrust in leaders.
Agree, historical ties play a significant role in shaping voter attitudes towards leaders.