New polling for the Conservative Environment Network found that those who are open to voting Conservative at the next election favoured climate action and renewable energy
Only 45% of voters who switched from Conservative to Reform said they would be open to changing their vote, whilst 86% of those who switched from Conservative to Lib Dem and Labour would
The polling also revealed that 54% of those who could vote Conservative next time wanted increased government investment on climate change
[2nd December 2024] The Conservative Environment Network has published new polling, conducted by the CT Group, that found that most of those who could be persuaded to vote Conservative again wanted ambitious climate action.
The polling looked at five different groups: those who voted Conservative in 2024 (core Conservatives), those who switched from Conservative in 2019 to Reform (Reform switchers), those who switched to Reform and are open to switching their vote (Reform persuadables), those who switched from Conservatives in 2019 to Labour or Liberal Democrats (Lab/Lib Dem switchers), and those who are target voters for the Conservatives, depending on values, favourability, or past voting behaviour (potential Conservatives).
The polling showed that a majority of those open to voting Conservative - i.e. potential Conservatives - wanted climate action. They also wanted the government to invest in green energy, such as solar, offshore wind, tidal/hydroelectric, and nuclear.
Labour and Lib Dems switchers were far more likely to consider changing their vote
86% of Conservative voters who voted for Labour or the Lib Dems were open to changing their vote at the next election
Only 45% of 2019 Conservative voters who voted for Reform were open to changing their vote at the next election
The majority of former Conservative voters wanted the government to increase investment to tackle climate change.
When asked whether they supported the government increasing investment in tackling climate change, there was net support from Reform persuadables (+18), potential Conservatives (+32), core Conservatives (+35), and Labour/Lib Dem switchers (+56).
Voters from across the political spectrum supported greater investment in renewable energy.
When asked what energy source the UK government should invest in, 50% of the public chose solar energy, 46% chose offshore wind, and only 15% chose oil.
43% of Reform persuadables chose solar, 41% chose offshore wind, and 17% chose oil.
46% of potential Conservatives chose solar, 43% chose offshore wind, and only 18% chose oil.
54% of Labour and Lib Dem switchers chose solar, 53% chose offshore wind and only 9% chose oil.
34% of Reform switchers chose solar, 37% chose offshore wind, and only 14% chose coal.
Voters also tended to support a commitment in law to reach net zero by 2050
When asked if net zero by 2050 should be in law, there was net support from Reform persuadables (+4), core Conservatives (+25), potential Conservatives (+25), and Labour and Lib Dem switchers (+53).
Although voters supported the creation of GB Energy, voters did not trust the government to invest properly
56% of voters support the creation of GB Energy
62% of voters agreed that not trusting the government to make the right investments and taxpayers having to pay for poor decisions is a strong argument against clean power.
Voters were much more convinced by the economic and security arguments for clean power than the environmental argument
73% found this argument convincing: future generations must be protected from energy shortages, higher prices, and the upheaval of climate change
71% found this argument convincing: investing in renewable sources of energy will allow the UK to become more self-sufficient, not needing to rely on other countries for energy.
69% found this argument convincing: staying at the forefront of energy technology is a vital part of preparing the UK economy for the future
65% found this argument convincing: it will bring good jobs and economic growth to all parts of the UK, providing high-tech manufacturing jobs
64% found this argument convincing: it is essential for the UK to move away from fossil fuels to protect their children and grandchildren from damaging climate change.
45% did not find this argument convincing: that renewables, such as solar farms and wind turbines, damage the landscape and we shouldn’t support them, compared to 25% who agreed.
Sam Hall commented:
“Kemi Badenoch is right to argue that the Conservative Party must return to its principles. By being faithful to its free market values, intergenerational responsibility, and love of community the party can develop an inspiring and coherent agenda that can win elections.
“But to ensure the party speaks to the majority of voters, it must have a positive, conservative plan for the environment. Many voters see meaningful climate action as a credibility test. Conversely, there is a very limited audience for climate scepticism.
“This polling shows how the Conservative opposition can constructively challenge elements of Labour’s net zero plan, while setting out an alternative route based on conservative values. The Conservatives would be wise to champion a pragmatic plan for reducing emissions and rolling out renewables in the coming years of opposition.”
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