Why “I Don’t Do Politics” Just Doesn’t Work – Even on LinkedIn

“I don’t do politics.” It’s a phrase that feels safe to many, especially in spaces like LinkedIn, where positivity, professionalism, and growth are prized. But as a Politics grad who’s always been fascinated by how government decisions shape our lives, I’ve come to believe that avoiding politics is not only impossible but also counterproductive.

Politics impacts every facet of our lives, and trying to avoid it means missing out on the chance to understand and shape our world.

Yesterday’s Labour budget was a stark reminder of this, with far-reaching changes that will affect businesses, workers, and even landlords in profound ways. Staying silent in the face of these changes is a choice, but it’s one that leaves important discussions—and decisions—up to others.

The Personal is Political – Why Avoiding Politics Isn’t Neutral

For many, saying “I don’t do politics” feels like a way to keep peace, to avoid conflict, and to stay focused on “safe” topics. But as we’re increasingly seeing, political decisions shape the daily realities of our workplaces, homes, and communities. In fact, research shows that 89% of people in the UK report being directly impacted by recent political decisions, underscoring the extent to which policy is embedded in our lives (Small Business UK)(

This was made even clearer with yesterday’s budget announcement, where Labour introduced sweeping changes designed to plug a ￡22 billion fiscal deficit through ￡40 billion in new tax measures (Simply Business UK)

While some view these changes as necessary, others worry about the burden it places on various segments of the population.

At its core, the belief that we can avoid politics is often one of privilege. Not everyone has the option to ignore political decisions because, for many, these decisions shape their very livelihoods.

The Labour government, for instance, has focused its tax hikes on high-income earners, large businesses, and landlords—a move designed to ease the financial burden on “working people,” or those earning wages from active employment. However, this definition leaves out groups like landlords, retirees, and certain investors, who will bear a greater share of these new costs. As one analysis notes, “for some, political engagement isn’t a choice but a necessity” because their financial stability is directly at stake

LinkedIn as a Platform for Political Conversations

LinkedIn traditionally discourages political debate, positioning itself as a space for career development rather than social or political commentary. But in recent years, the line between politics and work has become blurred, and 76% of LinkedIn users now report wanting “meaningful dialogue about societal issues” on the platform

In light of yesterday’s budget, topics like corporate tax policy, wage laws, and small business relief have become directly relevant to our professional lives. Engaging in discussions around these issues isn’t about being divisive; it’s about understanding the full landscape of our industries and preparing for what’s ahead.

For instance, the Labour budget introduces a National Insurance hike for employers to 15% and a 6.7% increase in the National Living Wage to ￡12.21, effective in 2025.

While these changes aim to support workers and reduce inequality, they also put additional financial strain on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which may struggle to absorb these costs without reducing their investment in talent or business development

As Nikki Lidster, head of SME at Zurich Insurance, observed, “SMEs may not have the time or resources to plan for these increased expenses, meaning their ability to expand or hire may be limited”. Also a huge potential kick in the proverbial for my fellow recruiters out there!

This is the type of insight that LinkedIn is uniquely positioned to facilitate, as it brings together business owners, professionals, and policymakers to discuss potential impacts and solutions.

Politics in Every Corner of Life

For me, politics has always been more than just party lines and elections. It’s the way we make collective decisions, the framework we set for our society, and, most importantly, the way we define our priorities.

When the government freezes the inheritance tax threshold or increases the stamp duty on additional properties, those choices don’t exist in a vacuum—they affect people’s ability to build and transfer wealth, make decisions about property ownership, and plan for the future.

Yesterday’s budget changes could mean landlords will pay as much as 5% in additional stamp duty when purchasing rental properties—a move that, while intended to reduce real estate speculation, may drive up rental prices as fewer landlords invest in new properties

In my own experience, studying politics has shown me how interwoven these decisions are with everything from personal financial stability to the broader economic health of a nation. Seeing politics as something separate from daily life, in my view, misses the bigger picture.

Engaging in Politics as a Professional Responsibility

Avoiding politics is, in a sense, a form of surrender—one that says, “I’ll let others decide for me.” As professionals, especially on a platform like LinkedIn, we have a unique opportunity to contribute to these discussions in constructive, solution-oriented ways. Rather than approaching these conversations as debates, we can see them as exchanges of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that help everyone understand the broader impacts of political decisions.

By discussing the budget’s impact on LinkedIn, professionals from different industries can share insights into how the new policies will affect their businesses, how they plan to adapt, and even what strategies they might recommend for others facing similar challenges.

LinkedIn as a Space for Informed and Constructive Dialogue

Of course, there’s a fine line between discussing politics and turning LinkedIn into a political soapbox. The goal isn’t to create division but to foster understanding. A recent LinkedIn poll found that 68% of users believe that respectful political discussions lead to better workplace understanding and even innovation.

Rather than avoiding politics altogether, we can make LinkedIn a space for informed, nuanced discussions where people can learn from each other’s experiences

By bringing our insights into these discussions, we build empathy and gain a more holistic view of how policies shape different industries and roles.

When businesses discuss how they’re adapting to new policies, they not only help others but also contribute to a community that is better equipped to handle the impact of future changes.

In a world where political decisions impact nearly every aspect of our lives, saying, “I don’t do politics” is less about remaining neutral and more about missing an opportunity to engage meaningfully with the issues that shape our shared reality.

We don’t have to be policy experts or take sides in every debate, but acknowledging the impact of politics—especially on LinkedIn—allows us to be more informed, prepared, and proactive professionals.

In my experience, engaging in these discussions can help us create a work environment and a society that are not only better informed but also more inclusive, resilient, and connected.

What's your thoughts? You'd rather see videos of singing frogs, regurgitated TikTok videos or something a little more meaningful on the platform?