Poll reveals majority of Labour heartland voters support delay in phasing out petrol cars
A recent poll has found that a majority of voters in Labour heartland seats, known as the Red Wall, want Sir Keir Starmer to abandon his plan to bring forward the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2030. The survey, conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, showed that 53% of voters in these seats support Chancellor Rishi Sunak's proposal to delay the phase-out until 2035.
Increase in opposition to the ban
The poll also highlighted a growing opposition to the ban on petrol and diesel cars. Over half (51%) of Brits in northern towns believe there is a "war on motorists" by Westminster. This sentiment has been echoed by Bob Bull from the Alliance of British Drivers, who called on Starmer to pay attention to the voters.
Support for Net Zero policy declines
A YouGov survey conducted in August showed a significant decline in support for the flagship Net Zero policy, which aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The survey revealed that 53% of respondents were now opposed to the ban on petrol and diesel cars, compared to 36% who supported it. Support for the policy has also dropped among Tory voters, with just 18% in favor compared to 41% in the 2019 election.
Changing attitudes towards green initiatives
The poll also highlighted shifting attitudes towards other green initiatives. Support for new taxes on bills to encourage a switch from gas to electricity has fallen from 24% to 16% among all voters. In contrast, support for new nuclear power stations has increased from 35% in 2021 to 49% in 2023.
These findings suggest that there is a growing concern among voters about the impact of green policies on everyday life and expenses. It remains to be seen how political leaders will respond to these shifting attitudes.
