Poll Highlights Swing Voters’ Support for Green Economy: RenewableUK’s Key Findings

(IN BRIEF) A recent independent poll conducted by Opinium Research for RenewableUK revealed that the majority of swing voters want more action on renewable energy. Among voters who supported the Conservatives but plan to switch to Labour, 67% believe the Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak) should do more for renewable energy. Additionally, 57% of swing voters feel the government is not investing enough in the green economy or climate change. Green industries are seen as driving job growth outside London by 59% of voters. The majority of respondents also support specific policies to boost renewables, making the UK a net energy exporter by 2030. RenewableUK emphasized the importance of green measures in appealing to voters and urged the government to prioritize renewable investments.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 26-Jul-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — A recent independent poll conducted by Opinium Research on behalf of RenewableUK has shown that the majority of swing voters are seeking stronger measures to grow the green economy. The poll, which targeted voters across the UK, revealed significant support for renewable energy and the development of the green economy.

Among swing voters who supported the Conservatives in the last general election but now intend to switch to Labour, a whopping 67% feel that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is not doing enough to increase the use of renewable energy in the UK. Additionally, 57% of these swing voters expressed their dissatisfaction with the Government’s investment in the green economy and action on climate change. In contrast, only 7% of switching voters and 6% of current Conservative voters believe that the Prime Minister has gone too far in promoting renewable energy.

The poll also highlighted that 58% of switching voters believe that growing the renewable energy sector will have a positive impact on the UK economy as a whole, while only 11% disagreed.

Furthermore, voters see green industries, such as offshore wind and electric vehicle manufacturing, as more likely to drive job growth and investments in regions outside London and the south-east of England compared to other key growth sectors. About 59% of voters believe that green industries will provide much-needed opportunities in regions that have been left behind economically.

Interestingly, specific policies supporting renewable energy development garnered strong support among voters. Ramping up investment in renewables to make the UK a net energy exporter by 2030 enjoyed overwhelming support from all voters (77%), and this sentiment increased to 84% among Conservative supporters and 88% among swing voters.

Additionally, 75% of respondents showed support for investment in the expansion of ports, while targeted tax cuts to bolster the development of the offshore wind supply chain received 65% backing. On the other hand, policies such as putting an end to illegal immigration by small boats (supported by 68% of voters) and reducing the national debt within the next year and a half (supported by 73%) were also popular, but renewable energy policies were considered more achievable and deliverable compared to the Prime Minister’s five key pledges.

In terms of investment focus, a significant majority of voters (42%) believe that the Chancellor should prioritize attracting investments into renewables, with only 8% supporting gas and 7% supporting oil. This sentiment rises to 52% among swing voters.

RenewableUK’s Head of Strategic Communications, Nathan Bennett, expressed delight at the strong support for renewables and the green economy, adding that these policies have the potential to drive job growth and investments in regions that need leveling up. He emphasized that voters view green industrial strategies as more deliverable than some of the Prime Minister’s other pledges.

Conservative MP Sir Alok Sharma, who served as the President of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP26, echoed the importance of the green growth agenda, noting that watering it down would not be a vote winner. Instead, he urged the government to speed up the delivery of key policies to expand the UK’s renewables sector and improve energy security.

Sam Hall, Director of the Conservative Environment Network, also pointed out how building more renewables could help the Conservatives win back former Labour voters, emphasizing the need to champion and build on the UK’s green energy record.

Note:
RenewableUK is a membership organization focused on building the future energy system powered by clean electricity. It supports over 470 member companies to increase renewable electricity deployment in the UK and access export markets worldwide. The Opinium Research survey involved 2,064 voters across the UK and was conducted on 12th-14th July, 2023. For more information, visit RenewableUK’s events program.

Media contacts:

Robert Norris, Head of Communications, RenewableUK
Phone: 07969 229 913
Email: Robert.Norris@RenewableUK.com

SOURCE: RenewableUK