Born Free Foundation UK Manifesto Survey Report
Research conducted by Opinion Matters - Dec 2022 Born Free's UK Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare manifesto entitled "Transforming Wildlife protection in the UK" is calling on all UK political parties to prioritise wildlife protection and animal welfare. Despite a number of high-profile government commitments over recent years, the UK remains one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. Research was undertaken with Opinion Matters amongst 2000 UK respondents with at least 100 per region, to understand and highlight the public’s desire for wildlife protection and animal welfare to feature heavily in future party manifestos, ahead of the next General Election.
HOW IMPORTANT IS ANIMAL WELFARE TO YOU? 93% of the 2000 UK residents surveyed feel that animal welfare is very or quite important with only 2% feeling it is not at all important. This figure was highest amongst 25 – 34-year-olds at 95%, and lower at 87% amongst those aged 65 and over. Across the regions, over 90% was recorded by all, with the South East lowest at 91% closely followed by Greater London at 92%. Wales was by far the highest with 97% reporting that Animal Welfare was important. And the variation across political persuasion was also minimal with SNP and Labour supporters at 96%, Green Party supporters at 95%, and Conservative and Liberal Democrats at 92%.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT THE NEXT UK GOVERNMENT INCLUDES COMMITMENTS TO IMPROVE WIDLIFE PROTECTION IN ITS MANIFESTO? 89% of UK residents surveyed felt this was very or quite important. The proportion was highest among 25-34 year olds at 94%, and lowest among 65s and over at 81%. All other age groups hovered around 90-91%. The Welsh had the highest at 92%, with 88% of those questioned in the South East, Greater London, North West and the East Midlands feeling it was important. 94% of Liberal Democrat supporters responded that this was important. Whilst the Green Party supporters were lower at 89%, nearly 60%¹ felt it was very important compared to Lib Dems’ 46%. SNP supporters were also high in their support at 96%, with supporters of other parties hovering around 90%.
¹ 58% respondents supporting the Green Party saying it is very important. Born Free Foundation 2nd Floor, Frazer House, 14 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1ER, UK bornfree.org.uk | Registered Charity 1070906