UK MPs vastly overestimate public opposition to climate policies
A University of Cambridge study surveyed 100 sitting MPs in December 2024 and January 2025 about their perceptions of public opinion on climate policies, comparing their estimates to public polling from April 2024. MPs estimated public opposition to an insulation subsidy policy at around 18%, more than three times the actual 6% shown in polling, and believed opposition to a green product tax was around 38%, nearly double the actual 20%. The study found that MPs' perceptions of low public support for climate policies correlated with reduced willingness to advocate for them publicly, suggesting evidence of a "spiral of silence" effect in Parliament.
