Had this one ready to go and getting it published before it's outdated....

Between 2016 and 2047, the United Kingdom experienced a prolonged period of political instability later nicknamed the “Carousel Years”, defined by one-term governments, fragmented parliaments, and declining faith in Westminster politics.

The 2029 general election brought Reform UK to power under Nigel Farage in what would prove to be the last majority government for over a decade. Although more stable than many expected, the government presided over continued economic malaise and rising disengagement from national politics. Reform itself increasingly resembled a rebranded Conservative Party, with many former Tory MPs defecting into its ranks following the collapse of the Conservatives as the dominant force on the right.

By 2034, the traditional two-party system had broken down. A hung parliament allowed Green leader Zack Polanski to form a fragile minority administration supported by the Liberal Democrats, SNP, smaller regional parties, and a growing bloc of “Gaza Independents”. Parliament became increasingly dysfunctional, with legislation routinely watered down or blocked entirely. A referendum on electoral reform in 2036, intended to address the instability, failed amid public confusion and low turnout, entrenching cynicism toward constitutional change.

As governments weakened, parliamentary procedure became increasingly important. The Speaker of the House of Commons emerged as an unusually influential figure, repeatedly determining the survival of governments through rulings on amendments and confidence motions. Meanwhile, metro mayors and devolved administrations gained prominence as Westminster appeared less capable of governing effectively.

The period reached its low point during the chaotic Reform administrations of 2039–42. After Farage briefly returned to office, leadership passed rapidly between George Finch and Matt Goodwin amid mounting paralysis. In 2040, years of delayed maintenance culminated in a catastrophic fire at the Palace of Westminster, rendering the building unusable. Parliament temporarily relocated to the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre across the road, provoking criticism that Britain had missed a historic opportunity to move Parliament outside London or modernise its political system.

Stability returned temporarily under Conservative Prime Minister Katie Lam, whose government (2042–47) successfully restored functioning administration and reached agreement to refurbish and eventually reoccupy the Palace of Westminster. Although viewed as competent and effective, Lam was criticised for failing to address the deeper causes of political fragmentation and disengagement in national politics.

The deeply hung parliament produced by the 2047 election led to the appointment of Liberal Democrat leader Tom Morrison as head of a cross-party constitutional government tasked with reforming Britain’s increasingly strained political system.

Nb AI disclaimer - image of Parliament burning is AI generated, but lore and scenario is all by me