New research from Unchecked UK shows that swing voters in ‘Red Wall’ seats support robust food regulations and standards.
Qualitative research, carried out by Unchecked UK in partnership with KSBR Brand Futures, and published today, finds overwhelming support for strong, well-enforced food standards among first-time Conservative voters in Red Wall constituencies.
The findings strongly indicate that these voters would not support lower standards in the wake of Brexit, with the majority of participants voting to leave the EU so that the UK could take back control of making its own laws; with the expectation and hope that these will be strengthened, rather than weakened.
With regards to food standards, Leave-voting participants expressed strong opposition to the weakening of food laws, a move that would be seen by them as a ‘betrayal’ of their vote for Brexit.
This research is published alongside previously unpublished findings from a qualitative poll carried out in 2020 for Unchecked UK by Ipsos MORI, which explores attitudes to regulation among younger Leave voters. The poll mirrors the findings from the new qualitative research; finding, for example, that 85% of younger Conservative Leave voters think the UK should keep or increase current levels of food safety regulation going forward.
Emma Rose from Unchecked UK said:
“At Unchecked, we think strong protections for people and the environment, properly resourced public bodies, and fair enforcement of the rules are the foundations of a decent society. And our latest research shows that key voters in ‘Red Wall’ seats agree with us.
“For decades, successive Governments have acted on the assumption that regulation is unpopular with the public, with the 2016 EU Referendum result often portrayed as the ultimate rejection of regulation. But our research shows this assumption to be wholly misguided, with Leave voters in ‘Red Wall’ seats expressing particularly strong opposition to the weakening of food laws and standards.
“Swing voters in ‘Red Wall’ seats will be key to political parties’ fortunes not just at the next General Election, but in local government elections and elections to the devolved Parliaments in Scotland and Wales this year. It’s clear that championing effective regulation is not just the right thing to do – it also makes political sense”.
Notes to Editors
The research was carried out in June and September 2020 with 52 voters who swung from Labour to the Conservatives in 2019, and included focus groups (teleforums) carried out in the constituencies of Burnley, Heywood & Middleton, North West Durham, West Bromwich East, and Wrexham. The project explored participants’ views in relation to regulations and standards in general, and to food standards in particular.
You can read the full briefing at: http://redwall.unchecked.uk/
For media queries please contact Luke Holland on luke@cathoddu.com or 07447 008098.