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Never has the public mood held such sway – both for the government, and ultimately utilities.
More than ever before, what the people think and want will be game-changers over the next three weeks, with an electorate ripping up traditional party loyalties in favour of the big issues – such as climate change.
It’s familiar territory for utilities, who are already well and truly on the “public sentiment journey” – and are no doubt happy to give the Westminster elite a few tips if required.
The sector has become well-versed in acknowledging emerging customer demand trends; evaluating their environmental, social and corporate credentials in the eyes of consumers; and wholly
re-thinking future business models and strategies.
Which is why our exclusive Utility Week survey makes fascinating reading for a sector watching events unfold from the brink of even more change – regardless of which party lands the keys to Number 10 next month.
Our poll by Harris Interactive, carried out in autumn ahead of the election announcement, offers a timely snapshot of public thinking – notably that four in ten voters would back tougher net zero policies, although most (at 48 per cent) would see the costs of decarbonising heat and electricity met by direct taxation rather than via energy bills.
Politicians of all stripes have been quick to pick up on the groundswell of calls for greener agendas, something echoed in our survey, which saw 47 per cent of people support bringing forward a ban on the sale of new petrol cars to 2032.
Yet, just as for the utility industry, gaining the public’s trust on all this will be vital for those parties battling to take over the parliamentary reins come 13 December.
For instance, our September poll revealed how voters needed to be convinced that Boris Johnson would be a champion for the environment, with half believing it would slip down his leadership priorities.
And on Labour’s looming threat of renationalisation, half of those we polled thought the Conservatives should adopt the same policy of bringing water and networks into public ownership.
So, just as with the election and Brexit, our survey reveals a public split on some of the biggest questions facing the industry.
It seems all we can currently be certain of, is more uncertainty.
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