Millions of voters feel politically homeless and would back new centre-ground party, finds poll

An exclusive survey for The Independent suggests people do not feel represented by the established political parties

The survey comes after it was revealed that a new political party with access to up to £50m in funding has been secretly under development for more than a year (AFP/Getty)

Millions of voters feel politically homeless and would consider backing a new centre-ground party, a poll has revealed.

Almost half of those questioned in an exclusive survey for The Independent said both that they did not feel represented by any established party and that a new organisation would have a chance of winning their vote.

The BMG Research poll comes as Labour has moved to the left and the Conservative pursuit of Brexit has alienated some centre-ground voters, with new movements arising in a bid to fill the gap.

But in a blow for hopeful Remainers, EU withdrawal is not the issue that motivates people – with a majority of the public suggesting they would not vote for a new party simply because it was “anti-Brexit”.

The poll asked a representative sample of more than 1,500 people, “To what extent, if at all, do you feel that any of the current political parties in the UK represent your views?”

Overall, 40 per cent said they were “very” or “fairly” well represented and 19 per cent said they did not know.

But 41 per cent said they were “not very well” or “not” at all represented, indicating a significant number of voters who feel the main parties have moved away from them.

The survey then asked, “If a new political party which pitched itself as sitting in the ‘centre’ or ‘centre ground’ of British politics formed and ran in the next UK general election, how likely would you be to consider voting for it?”

Overall, 43 per cent said they would “definitely” or “potentially” consider backing the new party, while 35 per cent said they would not or would be “unlikely” to, with 22 per cent saying they did not know.

With the electorate at the last election at just less than 47 million people, it suggests almost 20 million voters may be amenable to a new group to some extent, more than voted for either of the two big parties in British politics.

Dr Michael Turner, head of research at BMG, said: “This poll reveals the collective exasperation of the public when it comes to Westminster politics at this time. A whopping six in 10 people who identify themselves as in the centre-ground of British politics, say that they are not very, or not at all, represented by the current crop of UK parties.

“It is no surprise then that ‘centrists’ are most likely to say they would consider switching to something new, with 45 per cent saying they are likely to do so, should a new party pitch itself somewhere between Labour and the Conservatives.”

Earlier this year a new party called Renew was set up aiming to “transform British politics”, by taking a “people-centred approach” to recruiting candidates and setting policy.

More recently it emerged that another new political party with access to up to £50m in funding has been secretly under development for more than a year.

This poll reveals the collective exasperation of the public when it comes to Westminster politics at this time

Dr Michael Turner, BMG Research 

A network of entrepreneurs, philanthropists and donors, are behind the project which seeks to “break the Westminster mould”.

It is spearheaded by the multi-millionaire philanthropist and founder of LoveFilm, Simon Franks, who has set up a company, Project One Movement for the UK, as a likely vehicle for the party.

But while the gap may be there for a new political group, the first-past-the-post electoral system and the reluctance of mainstream politicians to switch allegiance makes it notoriously hard for new parties to bed in.

Recent Labour divisions over Syria, antisemitism and the approach to Russia following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal has strained tensions in Jeremy Corbyn’s party however, with rumours that some of its MPs may be willing to jump ship.

One Labour backbencher told The Independent: “Things have been very hard recently over issues that have really shone a light on areas of difference and people have questioned whether staying is the right thing to do.

“There will come a moment when the decision has to be made, and it’ll probably come reasonably soon.”