Three quarters of red wall voters show support for Universal Basic Income in new report by Basic Income Conversation. The policy is backed by North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll and Labour MP for Wansbeck, Ian Lavery. The new research shows how a UBI has the potential to be a popular vote winner, especially with Labour voters in former heartlands.
The report, Winning The Vote With A Universal Basic Income – Evidence From The Red Wall is based on a survey of over 2500+ voters in ‘red wall’ constituencies in Wales, the Midlands and the North of England.
Understanding reasons for the support
The research sought to better understand the reasons behind support for the policy, finding that the health benefits, savings to the NHS and provision of financial security are the most important factors for supporters of the policy.
Through dialogue with strong opponents to a basic income, the research found that even in among strong opponents support increased through six specific framings relating to economic crisis, evidence, relative gains, flourishing, efficiency, and security.
Using these narratives, support for UBI increases even among strong opponents for more than 60% of respondents.
Proponents of a UBI say it could be a powerful tool for cutting poverty and inequality.
North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll, endorses the report, saying:
“A Universal Basic Income offers the single biggest improvement in working people’s interests for a generation. It increases economic security for the young and reduces the risks of ill health for the old. It’s also simpler to run and easier to navigate than the existing social security system. Complexity is our enemy when it comes to tackling poverty and inequality. All progressive parties should be having the basic income conversation.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
“Universal Basic Income would reduce poverty to almost unheard-of levels, address the inequality both between and within regions that harms people’s well-being, and provide a foundation for our young people to secure good lives that support good mental health.”
Cleo Goodman, Co-Founder of Basic Income Conversation, said:
“Articulating a vision for the country to address crises of poverty, inequality and climate change is Labour’s only chance of being successful. UBI is the multipurpose policy instrument capable of advancing a particular facet of that vision: a Britain socially secure and free from avoidable anxiety.”
Ian Lavery, Labour MP for Wansbeck, said:
“Not only does this report show UBI to be a convincing solution to a wide range of social and economic pressures the country faces, but it also demonstrates that when framed correctly it is a convincing political message that is a potential vote winner for any party willing to be brave enough to adopt it.”
