Poll reveals majority of voters in Labour heartland seats want Rishi Sunak to delay the phasing out of petrol cars

A recent poll conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies has found that 53% of voters in Labour heartland seats, also 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 majority of respondents believe that Rishi Sunak should delay the phasing out of petrol cars until 2035.

'Starmer should wake up and listen to the voters,' says Alliance of British Drivers

Bob Bull, spokesperson for the Alliance of British Drivers, commented on the research, urging Sir Keir Starmer to pay attention to the concerns of voters. He stated, "Starmer should wake up and listen to the voters."

A perceived 'war on motorists' by the government

According to the poll, 51% of people in northern towns believe that there is a "war on motorists" led by Westminster. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among UK citizens regarding policies that directly impact drivers and their vehicles.

Fading support for the Net Zero policy

In August, a YouGov survey revealed a significant drop in support for the Net Zero policy, which aims to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. 53% of respondents now oppose the policy, compared to 36% who still support it. This decline in support indicates a shift in public perception regarding the feasibility and cost of this flagship policy.

Concern among Tory voters

The survey also revealed that among the voters who helped the Conservatives secure a landslide victory in the 2019 general election, there is growing concern about the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars. Support for the policy has plummeted from 41% to just 18% among this group.

Changing attitudes towards alternative energy sources

While the support for new taxes on bills to incentivize the switch from gas to electricity has decreased from 24% to 16% among all voters, the survey indicates a surge in support for new nuclear power stations. The percentage of those in favor of new nuclear power stations has risen from 35% in 2021 to 49% in 2023.

In light of these findings, it is clear that the Red Wall households, as well as voters across the UK, are calling for a reevaluation of the plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. The growing opposition to the Net Zero policy signals a need to address concerns surrounding the feasibility and impact of these environmental measures on the everyday lives of UK citizens.