Britain is boiling over: Take Back Power prepares to launch as public anger at elites reaches breaking point
As wages stagnate, bills soar and trust in politics collapses, a new grassroots movement is giving voice to a growing belief that Britain is being run for the benefit of the few
A new political movement is preparing to step onto the national stage—and it is tapping into a mood that many believe Westminster has ignored for too long. Take Back Power, a grassroots campaign demanding radical democratic reform and fair taxation, is set to launch amid growing frustration over falling living standards, rising bills and a sense that the country is being run for the benefit of a wealthy few.
According to its organisers, the group was born out of a simple observation: millions of ordinary Britons are working harder than ever, yet falling further behind. Their central demand is the creation of a permanent “House of the People”—a citizens’ assembly designed to give the public direct power over decisions such as taxing extreme wealth and holding governments to account.
Far from operating quietly, Take Back Power has already made its presence felt—and in a way few will forget.
Democracy has crumbled: The Tower of London protest
In early December, activists staged a protest at the Tower of London, drawing national attention to what they describe as the collapse of British democracy. The action involved hurling apple crumble and custard on the glass case protecting the Crown Jewels—a deliberately symbolic act intended to show that democracy itself, not the jewels, had “crumbled”.
The group made clear that the jewels were never damaged and that the protest was non-violent. Images from the event spread rapidly online, provoking debate about inequality, symbolism and the limits of protest. For supporters, the choice of a historic site underlined the contrast between Britain’s immense inherited wealth and the financial insecurity faced by many today.
The action placed Take Back Power firmly on the public radar, signalling that this was not a campaign content to rely on polite petitions alone.
A direct challenge to Downing Street
Days earlier, the movement had sent an ultimatum letter to the Prime Minister, setting out its demands in stark terms. In the letter, Take Back Power criticised recent economic decisions and argued that government policy continues to prioritise financial markets over the public interest.
The letter called for structural democratic reform and warned that continued inaction would be met with escalating, peaceful civil resistance. Rather than appealing to party politics, the message focused on accountability, participation and restoring public trust—themes that resonate across political divides.
A wider political awakening
Take Back Power is not emerging in isolation. Across the country, there are signs that voters are increasingly sceptical of political and economic elites. The surge in Green Party membership since Zack Polanski’s rise has been widely noted as evidence of a broader appetite for alternatives to the established order.
Rising housing costs, stagnant wages and ballooning corporate profits have led many to conclude that the system is no longer working in their favour. In that context, calls to “take back power” sound less radical and more inevitable.
With organisers openly describing 2026 as a potential “year of discontent,” the question is no longer whether public anger exists—but how it will be channelled.
Whether Take Back Power becomes a lasting force or a catalyst for wider change, it is clear that a growing number of Britons are no longer willing to accept politics as usual.
Attend the Take Back Power launch
If you’re interested in the Take Back Power launch, you can attend in person on 17 January in east London or online on 21 January.