Voters reject Net Zero when asked whether it is more important than cutting the cost of living, an opinion poll has shown, with nearly 60% picking cutting costs and just 13% cutting carbon emissions when asked to choose. The Telegraph‘s Michael Deacon has more.
It may sound bizarre now, but only a few weeks ago, many political analysts were convinced that Nigel Farage’s opposition to Net Zero would cost him lots of votes. One polling expert even declared that it could be Reform’s Achilles’ heel.
Frankly, that strikes me as a touch improbable. In reality, I suspect the opposite is true: Mr Farage speaks for voters on Net Zero. And here’s how we know.
This week, a new polling firm called Merlin Strategy asked voters for their views on tackling climate change. But here’s the crucial thing, it didn’t merely ask them: “Do you support Net Zero?” Instead, it asked them which was more important: action to achieve Net Zero, or cutting the cost of living. And guess what they said? Almost 60% chose cutting the cost of living, while a mere 13% chose net zero.
A telling outcome. Asked, in isolation, whether they back urgent action on climate change, voters may say yes. When they’re asked whether they would prioritise it over their own personal finances, however, it’s a different story.
There’s more to it than that, though. In my view, this result doesn’t just show that the overwhelming majority of people think the cost of living is more pressing than Net Zero. It shows that they don’t really believe in Net Zero full stop.
After all, if they did genuinely believe in it, they would prioritise it ahead of literally any other issue.
Worth reading in full.
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