I think the problem nowadays in a "developed" country like ours is that we have reached a point where there are no great upheavals that any political leader / party has the foresight or courage to take on (and remain in power).
The industrial revolution, free education available to all, a roof over your head if you want it, the NHS, pensions for all, the reduction of the unions' power - all been through, and done. The Whitehall Civil Service are happy to keep "as you were", and the politicians are happy shuffling chairs around, as long as they keep their nose in the trough. When was the last time you actually got your MP to change anything of substance?
Which is why our roads are crumbling, and resemble patchwork quilts; we are warned every winter about "the lights going out", because our electricity generating and distribution system (built in the 50's, with a 25 yr intended lifespan) is still being patched along, until the replacements (which we started to build, too late) come on line; why when the sewer collapses, they fix that 6ft section only, then come back to fix the next inevitable collapse, a month or a year later. Make do and mend. Bodge it back together.
For all the money the UK supposedly has, where does it all go? Everywhere I look, our infrastructure is well beyond its intended lifespan, and is being maintained on a drip......