The UK economic machine hasn’t been the same since 2008, and British politicians of all stripes don't have a clue how to fix it.

In the decades before the 2008 crisis, growth was pretty consistent, registering approximately 2.2% per year but in the GFC that all changed and 18 years later the UK is still searching for a solution.

But since then, UK GDP per head has effectively flatlined relative to its historical path. If the pre-2008 trend had continued, UK GDP per capita today would be around ~£10k higher per person, according to IFS data.

This chart, at least partly, explains why UK politics is becoming so fractious - households don't feel better off and they are taking out their anger on politicians who seem to be lacking in ideas on how to rejuvenate growth.

British politics makes a lot more sense when you realise the economy has barely delivered meaningful living standard growth since 2008 - l wouldn't expect it to improve until someone works out how to fix it.