NEW POLLING: REFORM RISK LOSING VOTERS TO TORIES WITH ANTI-RENEWABLES APPROACH

• New polling shows Kemi Badenoch can appeal to voters who switched from Conservatives to Labour and Reform by offering a balanced energy strategy with support for both renewables and nuclear

• There is still an opportunity for Kemi Badenoch to win ground against Keir Starmer on energy, as voters remain unconvinced which leader is best placed to lower energy prices, ensure energy security, or reach net zero

• The polling also suggests that Reform’s anti-climate change rhetoric and willingness to shun renewables could damage their appeal with their own voters

[8th December 2025] New polling conducted by Opinium on behalf of the Conservative Environment Network reveals an electoral opportunity for the Conservatives to appeal to voters with a revamped energy policy. The Conservatives can win back switchers from Reform and Labour with a positive, pragmatic approach to renewables and nuclear, whilst not immediately shutting down oil and gas in the North Sea with eye-watering windfall taxes.

Despite the Labour government making clean power one of their five missions and central to their electoral offer, the public remains unconvinced they are best placed to achieve net zero, reduce energy bills, or ensure energy security. 

Reform also risks losing switchers with anti-climate change and anti-renewable energy positioning. The polling shows voters overwhelmingly believe in climate change and the risks it brings. Additionally, Conservative to Reform switchers at the last election, and current Conservative voters, view renewable energy positively, suggesting Reform’s threats to tax this form of energy could put voters off. 

Voters remain unsure of which party is most likely to achieve net zero, deliver energy security, or bring down energy bills, but still believe in climate change.  

• When asked who is best to reduce energy bills, 16% said Kemi Badenoch, 23% said Keir Starmer, 37% neither, and 24% said don’t know

• When asked who is best to increase energy security, 18% said Kemi Badenoch, 25% said Keir Starmer, 30% said neither, and 27% said they didn’t know

• When asked who is best to achieve net zero, 12% said Kemi Badenoch, 26% said Keir Starmer, 35% said neither, and 27% said don’t know 

• When asked about climate change, only 9% of the public and 8% of Conservative voters said it was not a real issue

Conservative switchers, including to Reform, want more renewables and nuclear but also don’t want oil and gas fields to be shut down immediately

• The majority of Conservative switchers, including those to Labour (53%), and Reform (56%), as well as 2024 Conservative voters (55%), want more nuclear. 

• The majority of Conservative switchers, including those to Labour (79%), and Reform (51%), as well as 2024 Conservative voters (63%), want more renewable energy.

• The majority of Conservative switchers, including to Labour (51%), and Reform (71%), as well as 2024 Conservative voters (62%), don’t want North Sea oil and gas to be shut down immediately.

Switchers believe renewables and nuclear are more likely to bring down energy prices than new oil and gas licences

• 41% of 2024 Conservative voters believe renewables will bring down energy bills, 34% think nuclear will, and only 15% think new oil and gas licenses will.

• 31% of Conservative switchers to Reform believe renewables will bring down energy bills and 40% think nuclear will, whilst only 14% think new oil and gas licenses will.

• 57% of Conservative switchers to Labour believe renewables will bring down energy bills, whilst only 12% think new oil and gas licences will. 

Voters want to see politicians speak more about renewables and nuclear

• A small majority (55%) of voters want to see politicians talking more about increasing the supply of renewable energy, including 52% of Conservative voters.

• 49% of Conservatives, more than any other party, want to see politicians talking about nuclear, compared to 35% of Labour voters, 26% of Liberal Democrat voters, 26% of Green voters, and 45% of Reform voters,

• 42% of Reform voters want to see politicians talk more about renewables, compared to 24% who want politicians to talk about them less.

Jerome Mayhew MP, Shadow Minister for Transport, said: 

​​“We cannot put all our eggs in one basket when it comes to energy. A strong, diverse mix of renewables, nuclear, and oil and gas whilst we need it, is essential to keep Britain’s lights on and energy bills down. Relying too heavily on any single source leaves us vulnerable to market shocks and weaponisation of supply. Labour’s plans for a state-led energy system will just undermine the private sector and increase bills, whilst Reform’s bans and taxes will spook investors and raise costs too.

“The Conservatives must champion a pragmatic approach that backs all forms of British energy and lowers energy bills. That’s how we protect our economy, our security, and households.”

Maurice Golden MSP, former Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, said: 

“There are huge opportunities for the Conservatives to take a balanced and positive view on energy policy. 

“Most people are open to renewables, but also want guarantees on energy security, their bills, and the impact of energy infrastructure on the landscape.

“No other party is trying to develop policy to reflect these opinions, which is why the Conservatives both at UK and Scotland level should think carefully about where to position themselves.

“Despite the promises that Labour made to cut energy prices, we have the highest industrial electricity prices in the developed world.

“And in Scotland, the SNP has too often rolled out the red carpet to energy companies without considering the opinions of those who have to live with the impact.

"Therefore, there is an electoral opportunity for Conservatives to be the party of energy balance. 

“By acknowledging the necessary ongoing role of oil and gas, and continuing to be ambitious on renewables and nuclear, we can show voters we are listening and taking action to deliver on their priorities.”

Sam Hall, Director for the Conservative Environment Network, said: 

“This polling reaffirms the broad public support for climate action, renewables, and nuclear, including among right of centre voters. It also suggests the Conservative Party has been right to call for scrapping the windfall tax on oil and gas, which is prematurely closing down existing fields. 

“However, voters also recognise that to achieve energy security and lower energy bills, we must harness every available energy source, especially nuclear and renewable energy. Across the political spectrum, clean energy remains politically popular. The best electoral approach for any party - especially Reform and the Conservatives - is to be pragmatic on the role of oil and gas, and ambitious on renewable and nuclear energy too. 

“The Conservatives have an opportunity to capitalise on Labour’s failure to convince voters about their energy plans. They should seize it with a pragmatic plan to expand clean energy in a way that keeps bills down for consumers and businesses.”