Parliament (Westminster)
Continued coverage of low trust in the political system and governing effectiveness.
Provisional indicator only · Does not change the formal rating
Current standing
Trust in government and the system of governing are at or near historic lows. The legislature remains operationally functional, but domestic legitimacy is clearly impaired.
25-year trajectory
- •Diffuse support for the political system has eroded over 25 years.
- •BSA measures of trust in governments to put nation above party remain near record lows.
- •International standing of the Westminster model persists despite domestic strain.
Visual comparison
Parliament (Westminster) vs international peers
2000 baseline (left) vs 2026 formal (right) · Higher bar = stronger rating
Five pillars (formal assessment)
Public Trust & Respect
DeterioratingNear-historic lows on multiple trust and system-confidence measures.
Performance & Effectiveness
DeterioratingLegislative and scrutiny functions continue, but quality of outcomes is widely questioned.
Financial / Operational Sustainability
StableEstate and resource issues long-standing but not the primary rating driver.
International Standing
StableWestminster model retains prestige even as domestic trust has fallen.
Shock Absorption & Adaptive Capacity
DeterioratingHas absorbed multiple scandals and constitutional stress tests, but legitimacy cushion is thin.
International peers
Formal ratings only · 2000 baseline → 2026 current · No weekly signals
| Institution | Country | 2000 | 2026 | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundestag / Bundesrat | Germany | AA | AA– | Stable |
| National Assembly / Senate | France | A+ | A | Stable |
| Parliament of Canada | Canada | AA– | A+ | Stable |
| Parliament of Australia | Australia | AA– | A+ | Stable |
| States General | Netherlands | AA | AA– | Stable |
| Riksdag | Sweden | AA+ | AA | Stable |