New data, following the general election, has provided an insightful look at voters’ opinions of the ECHR’S role within the UK — as well as a look at the issues voters are most engaged with.
The latest findings from think tank More in Common, indicate that the public are broadly split on whether Britain should try to reform the ECHR. When asked whether Britain should remain in the ECHR irrespective of whether it is reformed, the levels of support for leaving the ECHR remain largely unchanged.
Public want to stay in the ECHR by two to one
Nearly half of the public want to remain in the ECHR. ‘Disengaged Traditionalists’ are the only segment where more want to leave than stay (although many do not know). There are clear splits on the ECHR — more than half of ‘Blue Wall Established Liberals’ support staying, while fewer ‘Red Wall Loyal Nationals’ and even fewer ‘Disengaged Traditionalists’ back staying. Support for remaining in the ECHR is strongest among ‘progressive activists’.
Is the ECHR a priority issue for voters?
Despite being more likely to support remaining than leaving the ECHR, the findings suggest that the ECHR may not be also considered a priority issue for many voters.
(Source: More in Common)
The ECHR came in second to last on recorded priorities, following introducing gender self-identification. Meanwhile, the top three issues for voters were, increasing the number of apprenticeships (85%), introducing greater access to free childcare (57%) and reducing levels of migration (46%).
According to the think tank, the danger of a prolonged debate about the ECHR from the Conservatives in opposition is that it seems to voters that it is an ‘odd priority’. Findings indicate that voters are more concerned about issues that directly impact them in the short-term such as their tax bill, the state of public services, and issues they are facing in their local area.
What could voters expect in the future?
Another danger for the Conservatives in spending the next four years talking about the ECHR is that the public have grown tired of a decade of debates about Europe, and this feels like a continuation.
Making the ECHR an election issue would be politically risky for the Conservatives in the future. While it might excite Conservative-Reform switchers, it could risk putting off other voters the party may reach for, such as the Conservative-Labour switchers.
