London – Prosper UK today published polling showing a clear public demand for a more serious, pro-enterprise approach to growth, investment and job creation and evidence of a large group of voters who feel politically unrepresented.
Polling from More in Common shows more than seven in ten voters say politicians are not talking enough about growing the economy, building skills and supporting job creation. The message is even stronger among the voters the Conservative Party needs to win back. Among those who last voted Conservative in 2010 or 2015, 82% say politicians are not talking enough about growth, 81% about skills and 73% about jobs
The polling points to a clear route back to a credible centre right offer: prioritising investment and making work pay. Voters are three to one in favour of cutting business taxes to encourage investment. Voters also back a welfare system that rewards work and helps people move into work through skills and opportunity. Seven in ten agree that work should always pay more than benefits, rising further across the centre and centre right groups the Conservatives need to win.
Prosper UK Co-Chair Andy Street said: “This poll shows people want politicians to get back to the day job. That means making it easier for businesses to invest, grow and create jobs, and giving people the skills to take those opportunities. Prosper UK will be guided by evidence and is here to rebuild trust in a centre-right politics that can deliver by developing practical, pro-enterprise policies that voters can get behind.”
Prosper UK will now use this evidence to shape a practical programme on investment, skills and welfare reform and build a winning centre right coalition.
The movement is backed by senior economic and business figures including Rupert Soames, former Chair of the CBI, and Andy Haldane, former Chief Economist of the Bank of England. A Business Advisory Council will be announced in the coming weeks to help develop and champion the agenda with leaders from across UK business.
Prosper UK Co-Chair Ruth Davidson said: “We know that a huge chunk of UK voters feel politically homeless right now and are fed up that politicians aren’t speaking enough to their concerns. They want a renewed focus on growth, jobs and raising living standards. Three quarters of centre and centre-right voters say they want to hear more about how to grow the economy and put more money in people’s pockets. That’s why they feel unrepresented and why Prosper UK is going round the country listening to their concerns and developing practical, real-world policies to make a positive difference to their lives.”
More in Common Executive Director Luke Tryl said: “Our polling and focus groups find many Britons are worried that the UK’s sclerotic economy is making it an unattractive place for young people to build a career and a life in. They want politicians to tackle that by putting their focus back on growing the economy, enabling the conditions for businesses to create good jobs and invest in the UK and to make sure that work pays.”
To download the polling data, please click here.