UK Shifted Left Under Coalition, Study Claims

The British public has become more left-wing since the formation of the coalition in 2010, according to a major study by Natcen Social Research and the University of Essex.

The research, which draws on the results of hundreds of different polls, paints the picture of an electorate that has reacted nervously to the Government’s austerity drive.

Academics behind the study say the results should be a warning to the Conservative party to be wary of appearing overly hostile towards public services.

But they also point out that Labour is struggling to attract support despite the clear shift in the public mood.

"This indicates that Labour’s problems may be the result of its reputation for economic competence and leadership and the Conservative party’s ability to portray itself as moderate," they conclude.

They suggest the change might explain the rise in support for the Greens and SNP, but clearly fail to provide a narrative for the surge in support for UKIP.

The statistics, analysed by Dr John Bartle, show that Britain's "political centre" has oscillated from left to right over the past 50 years, with people appearing to move away from sitting governments.

From 1964 until 1980 the mood appeared to track to the right, shifting gradually back to the left after Margaret Thatcher came to power and throughout John Major's premiership.

But the trend reversed under the New Labour years.

Dr John Bartle said: "The general leftward shift that has taken place since the last General Election suggests that arguments about the need to shrink the state, reduce waste and cut income taxes will have less traction than in 2010."