More than twice as many voters believe a Labour government would be better for housing than the Tories, according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer. The survey shows Labour is well ahead of the Conservatives on most issues including the economy, health, education, the environment, immigration and crime, and level pegging on ones it has traditionally lagged way behind on, including defence. But its lead on housing and house prices will be particularly encouraging to Labour strategists who want it to be seen as the best party for housing provision and a healthy housing market. At his party’s annual conference last October Keir Starmer pledged to get Britain building again – starting with one and a half million new homes across the country within five years of a Labour government.
Labour has promised to shake up the planning system to allow for more housebuilding, including the creation of a new generation of new towns if it wins the next election, as well as more green investment in onshore windfarms. When Opinium asked voters which party they thought would be best for “housing/house prices”, 34% chose a Labour government under Starmer, against just 16% who chose the Tories under Rishi Sunak. On the economy overall, 32% chose Labour, against 26% for the Tories. On immigration 30% chose Labour and 22% the Tories. On defence, traditionally one of the Tories’ strongest suits and Labour’s weakest, the parties are equal on 26% each. On fighting terrorism the Tories are just one point ahead of Labour on 25%. Overall Labour has increased its lead over the Tories by two points over the past two weeks. Labour is on 42% (up 2 points) with the Tories unchanged on 27%. Adam Drummond, head of political and social research at Opinium, said: “Worrying for the Tories is the lack of indication, as we enter an election year, that they can restore public confidence in their handling of issues. Labour continues to hold a lead on being best placed to handle all of the top five issues the public think the country is facing.”