MPs exaggerate constituents’ opposition to onshore wind

MPs dramatically overestimate opposition to onshore wind farms in their constituencies and voters ‘think less’ of Parliamentary representatives who campaign against such developments, new polling shows.

According to a poll of MPs, which was carried out by YouGov in October for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), 43% believe a majority of people in their constituency would oppose a new onshore wind farm. Just 19% believe more of their constituents would support one.

Two-thirds (64%) of Conservative MPs thought a majority of constituents would oppose a new onshore wind farm, compared to 20% of Labour MPs.

Just 4% of Conservative MPs thought more of their constituents would support a new local onshore wind farm.

However, a separate poll, also carried out by YouGov last month, found that 77% of respondents would support a new onshore wind farm being built in their locality.

This included 73% of Conservative voters in the 2019 election who said they would support an onshore wind farm in their area, compared to just 19% who would oppose it. Of 2019 Labour voters, 84% said they would support a local onshore wind farm.

This level of support is a mismatch with the poll’s finding that just 48% of the MPs believed those who voted for them at the last election are favourable towards onshore wind.

Another poll, carried out by YouGov for ECIU, found that 62% of adults would ‘think less of’ an MP who campaigned against the development of an onshore wind near them.

While 76% of those who voted Labour in 2019 hold this view, it is also true of 60% of those who backed the Conservatives in the last general election.

Commenting on the poll’s findings, Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “This is further evidence that onshore wind is popular with voters – more so than many realise.

“Given the urgent need for new energy supplies to bring down bills and achieve energy self-sufficiency, it would be hugely regressive to block new onshore wind farms where communities support them. This policy affects not just how voters perceive our record on tackling climate change, but our seriousness on tackling the root causes of high energy prices and the cost of living.”

Peter Chalkley, director of the ECIU, said: “There’s a real danger that MPs are hearing a small number of loud voices, but missing out on the silent majority who may not say it, but are turned off on MP by seeing them campaign against a local wind farm.

“At a time when more onshore wind would bring down bills, cut our foreign gas dependence and create growth around the country, the government and MPs will need to ask themselves if they are truly reflecting public opinion on this key issue.”

During Treasury ministers question time in the House of Commons on Tuesday (15 November), recently appointed Exchequer secretary James Cartlidge said it is “important” to “strike the right balance” between community views on onshore wind and “securing a clean, green energy system for the future”.

Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled a relaxation of planning curbs on onshore wind in his ill-fated September mini-Budget, but ministers have indicated moves to row back on this issue since Rishi Sunak took over as prime minister last month.