ComRes HS2 MPs Poll

Methodology: ComRes interviewed 150 MPs (55 Conservatives, 77 Labour, 10 Lib Dems and 8 other) from 3-24 March 2014.  Data were weighted to be representative of the House of Commons by party and regional constituency distribution. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Date Published: 27 Apr 2014

Categories: Economy | Infrastructure | Policy Makers | UK

Description

 

Three in ten Conservative MPs support “scrapping HS2 completely”

With the second reading of the HS2 bill today, a new ComRes poll of 150 MPs shows that three in ten (30%) MPs across the House would support the complete scrapping of HS2 and a return to the drawing board on planning and increasing rail capacity, while 53% would oppose scrapping it. There is no difference between the three main parties with 31% of Conservatives, 31% of Labour and 30% of Liberal Democrat MPs all being in favour of abandoning HS2.

Half (50%) of MPs say they support the current plans for the first phase of HS2 while 32% oppose them; again there is little difference between the parties: 53% of Conservative MPs, 54% of Liberal Democrats and 46% of Labour MPs.

There is also some support for the idea of redirecting some of the funds earmarked for HS2 into reinforcing the UK’s flood defences and other infrastructure. Three in ten (29%) support the moving of funds towards flood defences while 57% oppose it.

More popular is the redirecting of some of the HS2 money into expanding existing capacity, 44% support this while 39% oppaose it. Support for redirecting funds into existing capacity is higher among Labour MPs (54%) than Conservatives (36%).

Andrew Hawkins, ComRes Chairman said: “Despite the whipped vote tonight, our poll reveals the true extent of unease among MPs of all parties towards HS2.  Given the level of opposition among his own backbenchers this threatens to be another blow to the Prime Minister’s standing within Parliament.”

Q: If a vote on the first phase of HS2 (London to West Midlands) were held today, would you be inclined to support or oppose each of the following?

Statement	Support	Oppose	Don’t know	Not stated
The first phase to go ahead as has been outlined	50%	32%	16%	1%
The complete scrapping of HS2 and a return to the drawing board in terms of planning for increased rail capacity and new rail services	30%	53%	14%	3%
Postponement of HS2 Phase 1 for the time being	31%	51%	15%	3%
Redirecting some of the funds earmarked for HS2 into expanding existing capacity	44%	39%	14%	4%
Redirecting some of the funds earmarked for HS2 into reinforcing the UK’s flood defences and other infrastructure	29%	57%	11%	2%

Base: 150 MPs (55 Conservatives, 77 Labour, 10 Lib Dems and 8 other) interviewed between 3 and 24 March 2014

 

Methodology: ComRes interviewed 150 MPs (55 Conservatives, 77 Labour, 10 Lib Dems and 8 other) from 3-24 March 2014.  Data were weighted to be representative of the House of Commons by party and regional constituency distribution. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.