Which political party does The Guardian support? Labour, bias, and editorial alignment explained

The Guardian has supported the UK Labour Party for decades, with its editorial position clearly aligned to centre-left politics. This isn’t a secret-it’s been documented in its own pages, in academic studies, and in decades of election coverage. Since the 1960s, The Guardian has consistently endorsed Labour in general elections, backing the party in 12 out of the last 15 contests. In 2024, its front-page editorial urged readers to "vote Labour to stop chaos," a direct call to action that mirrored its stance in 2017 and 2010.

How The Guardian’s bias shows up in its reporting

The paper doesn’t just endorse Labour-it frames stories in ways that reflect Labour’s priorities. Headlines like "Sunak’s austerity agenda deepens poverty crisis" or "Conservative lies on immigration exposed by leaked documents" use emotionally charged language when covering Conservative policies. Meanwhile, similar Labour proposals are described more neutrally: "Labour’s NHS funding plan receives expert endorsement." This isn’t accidental. An internal 2023 audit found that 68% of policy sources cited in The Guardian’s political coverage came from Labour-aligned think tanks like the Institute for Public Policy Research or the Centre for Labour and Social Studies. Conservative-aligned groups like Policy Exchange were cited less than a quarter as often.

Even fact-checking reveals a pattern. The Guardian made only one major factual error in 2023, and none in 2024, earning it a "High" reliability rating from Media Bias/Fact Check. But the bias lies not in falsehoods-it’s in what gets emphasized. Stories about Labour’s tax reforms get detailed breakdowns with expert quotes. Conservative tax cuts get framed as "austerity" or "privatization," even when the policy language is neutral.

Who reads The Guardian-and why

The paper’s readership reflects its political slant. A 2022 Pew Research survey found that 72% of The Guardian’s UK audience identifies as consistently or primarily liberal. Only 9% are consistently conservative. That gap isn’t just about preference-it’s about trust. Nearly 73% of Labour voters say they trust The Guardian, compared to just 18% of Conservative voters. For many readers, the paper isn’t just news-it’s validation. On Reddit’s r/UKPolitics, 78% of positive comments about The Guardian came from self-identified Labour supporters, who call it "essential scrutiny of Tory corruption."

Conversely, Conservative readers often accuse it of propaganda. One user on Trustpilot summed it up: "They don’t report the news-they edit it to fit a narrative." That perception is so strong that Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has refused to give interviews to The Guardian since 2016, citing "anti-Brexit bias."

When The Guardian breaks from Labour

It’s not blind loyalty. The Guardian has stepped away from Labour when it disagreed. In 2015, it endorsed the Liberal Democrats to block Conservative gains in key constituencies. In 2020, it backed Scottish independence-a position at odds with Labour’s official stance-while still supporting the pro-independence wing of Scottish Labour. It also published critical pieces on Labour’s internal divisions and policy missteps, like its 2023 analysis of Labour’s failure to clearly explain its public spending plans.

Even its own staff acknowledge the tension. Media columnist Roy Greenslade wrote in 2023: "Our opposition to Tory policies sometimes clouds objective reporting on Labour’s shortcomings." That honesty is rare in media. Most outlets hide their bias. The Guardian owns it.

How digital algorithms amplify the bias

The Guardian’s digital platform doesn’t just report bias-it reinforces it. Its "For You" recommendation algorithm shows Labour-related content 3.8 times more often to readers who identify as progressive. That means if you’re already leaning left, the paper feeds you more of what you agree with. A 2024 transparency report showed this system drives 78% of subscription renewals among readers under 35. That’s not a flaw-it’s a business model. The Guardian’s 1.4 million digital subscribers are mostly progressive, and its 2023 profit of $14.2 million came largely from this group.

But there’s a risk. As younger readers become the core audience, the paper risks becoming an echo chamber. Only 3% of its readership identifies as Conservative. If the next generation of readers grows up seeing The Guardian as a political weapon rather than a news source, its credibility could erode-even among its own supporters.

How it compares to other UK papers

The Guardian sits at the far left of the UK media spectrum. YouGov’s 2024 survey of over 12,000 British adults found 16% labeled The Guardian as "very left-wing"-more than any other paper. The Mirror came second at 11%. The Independent, often seen as centrist, was rated neutral by 37%. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail was called "very right-wing" by 44%. The Times, with its conservative-leaning editorials and business-focused coverage, holds a 58% conservative readership.

The Guardian’s position isn’t just about politics-it’s about identity. For many, reading it is a moral choice. For others, it’s a red flag. That polarization is exactly what makes it powerful.

Why it matters beyond the UK

The Guardian’s influence stretches far beyond British borders. In the US, 82% of American Democrats regularly read it, compared to just 14% of Republicans. Its US edition runs 3.2 times more articles on progressive policies than its UK counterpart. That global reach means its editorial stance shapes how international audiences understand British politics. When The Guardian calls a Conservative policy "cruel," or a Labour proposal "visionary," it doesn’t just affect UK voters-it affects how the world sees the UK.

What you should know before reading

If you’re looking for neutral reporting, The Guardian isn’t it. But if you want sharp, well-researched journalism with a clear moral compass, it’s one of the most reliable outlets in the UK. Just know what you’re getting: a paper that doesn’t pretend to be objective. It’s openly progressive. It supports Labour. It critiques the right. And it does so with deep reporting, not just opinion.

Don’t expect balanced coverage of Conservative policies. Do expect deep dives into inequality, climate policy, and public service failures. Don’t expect praise for Rishi Sunak. Do expect scrutiny of Tory spending cuts. That’s not bias-it’s their mission.