Current Conservative voters remain strongly in favour of the target of reaching Net Zero by 2050, according to a survey.
Research carried out for think-tank Onward said the ditching or pausing the UK’s Net Zero targets would cost the next Conservative leader dearly at the ballot box.
The survey reveals that voters’ support for Net Zero remains undimmed despite the Ukraine crisis and the rising cost of living. Net Zero remains the 4th most important issue for all voters, and the 5th most important for Conservatives – above crime, housing and Brexit.
When asked if the new leader should keep or ditch the target, Conservative voters are a third more likely (51%) to say they should keep it than remove it (34%). Among undecided voters who would consider voting Tory, twice as many want the new leader to keep Net Zero (51% to 26%).
Will Tanner, Director of Onward, said “If this leadership contest is about who can win an election, then both candidates could do much more to prove their commitment to Net Zero. Securing the UK’s energy supply through Net Zero is not just good policy, but good politics too.”
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