The political battlelines
The issues that draw the political battlelines
When we asked voters what they thought were the most important issues facing Britain today, the top three answers were: Health / NHS (61%), race relations / immigration (48%), and the economy / economic situation (36%).
However, when we then asked them what they thought were the most important issues facing them and their family, the results changed:
- Health / NHS ? 58%
- Economy / economic situation ? 46%
- Low pay ? 33%
- Race relations / immigration ? 20%
- Housing ? 18%
Health remained the top issue, but immigration dropped noticeably down the list. Issues such as the economy and low pay moved up the list in on the other hand.
Older voters generally were more likely to think that issues such as the NHS, the economy and immigration were important to them, while younger voters were more likely to see low pay, and housing in particular, as important to them.
Party support
When those that said each issue was important to them and their family were asked which party they trusted most to handle the issue, the results provided an intriguing insight into the battlelines that are forming in the run up to the election.
Although the NHS remains a key plank of Labour’s strategy, Labour’s lead on it is a relatively slim 5 points over the Conservatives, while the Tories take a 20-point lead as most trusted to handle the economy.
However, on low pay Labour takes a clear 16-point lead over the Conservatives. On immigration UKIP remains locked in battle with the Conservatives.
