LONDON: A recent exclusive poll conducted by Omnisis for The Guardian revealed a striking lack of trust in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s ability to effectively address the climate crisis.
Only 22% of the surveyed population expressed trust in Sunak’s capability to tackle the climate challenge, following his announcement of plans to weaken the UK’s net-zero policies. The poll, conducted on 21st September, involved 1,313 participants and was weighted to represent a nationally diverse population.
The distrust is substantial, with 53% of respondents stating they do not trust the Prime Minister’s approach to this critical issue, while 19% remained uncertain. This sentiment was exacerbated by Sunak’s decision to abandon plans to penalize landlords who fail to upgrade their properties to meet acceptable energy efficiency standards, a move that 55% of respondents felt would benefit them.
Sunak’s recent policy alterations, notably the delay in phasing out new petrol and diesel cars and the extension of gas boiler usage, received sharp criticism from various sectors, including the automobile and energy industries. The decision drew disapproval from prominent figures within the Conservative party, including Boris Johnson and former environment minister Zac Goldsmith.
While Sunak argues that these changes will save consumers money, experts have challenged this assertion. The abandonment of landlord energy efficiency mandates alone is projected to cost private renters an additional £1 billion annually in energy bills, as reported by the Social Market Foundation.
Moreover, postponing the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars is likely to have financial implications for consumers, as electric vehicles can save drivers between £5,000 to £8,000 in fuel costs over their lifetime, according to a leading thinktank.
The Conservative Party may face electoral repercussions due to these decisions, particularly in affluent, pro-remain Tory constituencies of southern England, often referred to as the “blue wall.” Polling commissioned by Greenpeace indicates that concerns over climate and nature are higher than the national average within this segment.
Constituency-level polling by Survation revealed that an overwhelming majority of constituents in the “blue wall” and marginal seats view climate and environment policies as influential factors in their voting decisions. Specifically, 85% of constituents in the “blue wall” and 86% in marginal seats favoured increased government support for home insulation, while 73% advocated for more funding for heat pumps. Additionally, a significant majority supported increased government investment in renewable power and subsidized rail travel to promote eco-friendly alternatives.
Greenpeace UK’s climate campaigner, Georgia Whitaker, emphasized that voters in key battlegrounds consider climate change a significant issue, urging the government to adopt bold policies to address it. She warned that Sunak’s wavering stance on vital climate matters could potentially erode support for the Conservative Party in crucial Tory strongholds and key marginal constituencies, adversely impacting the party’s prospects in future elections unless a change in direction is undertaken.
