Climate change, the environment and nature protection are key concerns for voters in London ahead of next week’s Mayoral elections, and the majority of Londoners want a Mayor that is a champion of these issues, a new survey finds.
Almost three quarters (73%) of London residents polled said that it was important to them that the next Mayor of London is a champion of environment, climate and nature issues, according to the survey, which was carried out by Survation and commissioned by Greenpeace UK.
Two thirds (65%) said that they would consider the Mayoral candidates’ positions on climate change and nature when voting.
When asked about specific Mayoral candidates, almost twice as many people viewed the Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, as a champion of environment, climate and nature issues, compared to the Conservative candidate, Susan Hall.
The desire from voters for a climate conscious Mayor of London could prove particularly damaging to Conservative Mayoral candidate Susan Hall’s election campaign. Hall has historically opposed key climate policies, backed the reintroduction of fracking and promoted articles online which spread climate science denial.
When asked about Hall’s criticism of efforts to reduce traffic and encourage cycling in the capital; her calls for a review of the ‘net zero agenda’ while reposting an article claiming climate change is not man-made on X (formally Twitter); and her admission that she does not know the price of a bus fare in London, almost two thirds (62%) of respondents said that they were concerned about her ability to take on the role of Mayor of London.
Sadiq Khan remains on course to become the first London Mayor to win three successive terms of office, according to the survey of 1,017 Londoners. He was backed by 44% of respondents, compared to just 27%, who said that they would vote for the Tory hopeful, Susan Hall.
Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, Mel Evans, said:
“The poll suggests Sadiq Khan could secure a landslide victory in next week’s Mayoral election, and voters’ concern over the climate and the environment is giving him an edge. Londoners, like the wider British public, care deeply about the climate and nature crises, and want a Mayor willing to deliver bold policies to tackle them.
“It was always a questionable move to put Susan Hall forward as the Tory candidate, given her penchant for peddling climate conspiracy theories and history of opposing environmental policies. But if it wasn’t already evident to the Conservative party, this poll clearly demonstrates that climate denial and weak environmental policies could lose you votes.”
