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34% CONSIDER SWITCHING TO GREEN PARTY |
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 17th May 2009
In a YouGov poll to be released tomorrow (Monday 18 May), 34% of
respondents said they would either definitely be voting Green or would
consider voting Green (i). This is the highest percentage ever to
indicate potential support for the Greens.
Interestingly, the largest group who would consider switching were LibDem voters. It's far more common for the Greens to attract former Labour voters, who were the second largest group considering switching. Also interesting was the fact that around one-fifth of those considering switching were Conservative voters - the group normally the least likely to switch to Green.
Potential Green surge?
Philip Booth, a Gloucestershire Green party spokesperson said: "This 34% is the best indication we've had that people would consider voting Green. We are not ruling out a potential surge like that in 1989, when 2.2 million Britons voted Green in the European elections. The shameful expenses row has meant many are turning away from the three main parties. I doubt UKIP will benefit from voters' anger at sleaze, thanks to its own frequently-criticised record."
Green support in general polls jumps from 6% to 11%
A general voter-intention poll this week for the Sun newspaper found that 6% were definitely intending to vote Green. But in a poll commissioned by UKIP and published today, the Greens are showing on 11% - enough to win seats in several regions beyond the existing seats in London and South East.
Philip Booth noted: "Greens have often been underestimated in opinion polls ahead of European elections. For example in 1989 pre-election polls were showing the Greens on 7-8%, but the actual Green vote turned out to be 15%. The current disenchantment with the big three parties will prompt more people to take a second look at the Greens. Our Euro-election broadcast has been very well received and we believe our million-jobs manifesto is going to strike a chord with a lot of people. When it comes down to it, we're the only party in this election that (a) isn't mired in sleaze and (b) is putting forward a positive vision."
Notes
(i) The YouGov poll regarding voter intentions was commissioned by the Green Party and asked only about whether respondents would consider voting Green. The YouGov poll surveyed 2,046 adults in Great Britain.
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