A thumbs down for coalitions
A thumbs down for coalitions
Attitudes to coalition governments
A majority (55%) thought that single party governments were generally better for Britain, while only one in six (15%) thought coalition governments were generally better.
As shown in the chart below, a clear majority of Conservative and Labour voters think that single-party governments are better than coalitions. Even UKIP voters unambiguously agree that single party governments are best.
Unsurprisingly, just over a third (36%) of Liberal Democrat voters thought that coalitions were better. However, for a party that has consistently been a champion of proportional representation for decades, it may appear odd that a similar number (37%) actually thought single party governments were best for Britain.
After the next election
If 2015 did indeed produce a hung parliament, 36% thought that a coalition should be formed. However, more supported an option to try and avoid a coalition ? a fifth (18%) thought the largest party should form a minority government, while 30% thought another general election should be held.
Another real possibility in next year?s election is that the largest party in the House will not necessarily be the party with the most votes. If this scenario turns out to be the case in 2015, only a quarter (26%) think the party with the most seats should be declared the winner, while 58% think the party with the most votes should be seen as the victor.
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 1,683 likely GB voters aged 18+ from 6th to 8th May 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
