PoliticsHome | Defence and Europe rise up voters' agenda

Thursday 12th November 2009 | 15:19

Defence and Europe rise up voters' agenda

Immigration and the state of the economy top the league as the most important issues facing the country

In the latest result from the PoliticsHome opinion tracker, Defence and Europe are the two fastest-growing issues facing Britain at the moment. Both remain behind immigration and the state of the economy on the public agenda.

PoliticsHome is the only organisation that tracks the importance the public places on individual political issues on a weekly basis. Each Friday, over 1000 people are asked, “Which of the following issues do you think are the most important facing the country at this time?” Respondents then tick as many issues as they consider to be of major importance. Results are weighted by party ID to reflect to country at large.

35% of respondents believe ‘defence and the armed forces’ is a key issue, compared to just 9% six months ago, indicating the increased media coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan has put the issue towards the front of voter’s minds. As a result, it has moved from being the voters' 19th most important issue to the 7th most important issue within six months.

31% of those surveyed now consider ‘our relationship with Europe’ a key issue, compared to 12% six months ago. There was a small peak in June, around the time of the European Parliament elections, but the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, and controversy over the Conservatives’ decision not to hold a referendum on it, has seen interest reach a new high - the 10th most important issue, compared to the 18th back in May.

'Immigration and race relations' is seen as a more important issue than either of these, however the change is not so dramatic. The public see immigration as slightly more important than six months ago: 52% of people now see it as important, compared to 44% in early May.

It has risen from third to second place in the tracker, overtaking unemployment.

‘The state of the economy in general’ is considered the most important issue overall – no change from six months ago, remaining steady at a huge 73%. ‘Immigration and race relations’ and ‘unemployment’ are the next most salient topics.

Figures are calculated on a three-week rolling average, using a sample of over 1000 respondents. The figures are then weighted by party ID, to reflect the UK at large.

Leave a comment...

donttrustyou

20:12 |
13 Nov 2009
Recommended
10

More lablibcon's brainwashing....................... RIGED

were's my vote on the eussr we are NOT going away

Barbara

18:25 |
01 Dec 2009
Recommended
1

For me not having a referendum is the most important thing next to the economy. For what is the point of having worries about finance when we are seeing our country taken from us by the day, our freedoms eroded, and laws imposed by the dozen each week. Yes, of course finances are important and this government has a lot to answer for, and we have worse to come, we know that they don't know how to tell the truth. We face near anilation by immigrants and may have more enforced upon us, we are heading for confrontation of a magnatude that will make the streets shatter, for enough is enough, and anger cannot always be surpressed. No, we need freedom to choose, freedom to decide our own destiny, and then we can all decide the economic future we want together, whatever happens it will be us the people who decide not some Brussels boffin.

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Defence and Europe rise up voters' agenda