Research Finds 1 in 3 Ex-Conservative Swing Voters Would Return if Climate Record Improved, but Pessimistic About Leadership Contestants
- Wind and solar energy were highlighted as the most likely energy sources to lower household bills (49% and 43% respectively)
- Significantly fewer ex-Conservative voters thought increased oil and gas production would bring down energy bills (16% and 27% respectively)
- Wind and solar power scored joint-highest for growth. 73% of ex-Conservatives identified wind and solar energy (separately) as likely to generate economic growth, compared to 46% for oil and 53% for gas.
- One third (36%) say transition progress stalled under Rishi Sunak because government failed to ‘grasp growth opportunities’.
- Tom Tugendhat ranked as the top potential Conservative Party leader who would be “good for the climate”, but no candidate scored higher than 5 out of 10.
- Over a third (35%) of ex-conservative voters say they would be likely to return to the Conservatives if climate record improved, compared to just 17% who said they would be less likely.
London, 1st October 2024 – The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), which brings together 300+ members managing over £19 trillion in global assets under management (AUM), has today released polling results of 1000+ ex-Conservative swing voters, revealing their sentiments on the UK’s green trajectory, following the recent UK general election held on 4th July 2024.
Lowering energy bills
UKSIF’s poll of ex-Conservative swing voters shows increased confidence in the role renewable energy can play in reducing energy costs. Asked to select their top two most likely energy sources to reduce household energy bills, just under half of respondents (49%) chose wind power, followed by solar energy at 43%. Comparatively, oil and gas achieved only 16% and 27% of votes.
These results come just two months after Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 10% in England, Scotland and Wales.[1] A typical dual-fuel, direct debit household using a typical amount of energy, external is predicted to pay £1,717 per year for energy supply, a rise of £149.
[1] Ofgem: Changes to energy price cap between 1 October to 31 December 2024
Press Release UKSIF on exConservative swing voters sentiment polling Sept 2024