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Study Highlights Disconnect Between Progressive Activists and Broader UK Public

A recent study has unveiled that leftwing activists in Britain are markedly less inclined to collaborate with political opponents compared to other groups and are more likely to perceive those with differing opinions as misguided. Conducted by the polling organization More in Common, the research categorizes approximately 8-10% of the population as “progressive activists,” who exhibit notably divergent views on a variety of issues compared to the rest of the populace.

The findings indicate that this group tends to harbor strong animosity towards dissenters, a characteristic that the report’s authors argue has contributed to the repeated setbacks faced by progressive campaigns and the resurgence of far-right movements globally.

Luke Tryl, an executive director at More in Common and one of the study’s co-authors, emphasized, “Progressive activists form the backbone of several campaigning organizations in the UK and have frequently been catalysts for social reform. Nonetheless, their political perspectives and methods of enacting change often set them apart from a broader public audience that they aim to engage.”

Tryl further noted, “The study suggests that this demographic tends to impose stringent criteria on potential allies, overestimating the extent of shared viewpoints, and tends to use language that alienates the general public. This approach may inadvertently incite resistance to progressive initiatives instead of fostering support.”

He continued, “For the liberal left to regain their influence, it is essential to adopt a more intentional strategy that focuses on understanding and communicating with people where they are at, rather than assuming immediate agreement on social issues.”

The research involved extensive polling, focus groups, and personal interviews with over 1,000 individuals, delving into the characteristics and perspectives of progressive activists, identified as the most left-leaning segment among seven diverse groups within the British electorate.

According to the study, members of this group tend to be younger, well-educated, and socially progressive, constituting about 8% of the population yet making a strong presence in certain areas, including public sector organizations and non-profits.

Tryl and his co-author Ed Hodgson observed that this faction is unique in that a majority supports increased or maintaining current levels of immigration. Moreover, they are significantly more likely than other political groups to assert that “woke culture” has positively impacted British society.

The researchers argue that the disconnect between progressive activists and wider public sentiment poses a problem, particularly as these activists are more inclined to misinterpret, criticize, and avoid collaborating with other voters.

The polling revealed that progressive activists generally estimate that 35% of the British public endorses abolishing the monarchy, while the actual figure is just 18%. Similarly, they believe that 25% of citizens support increasing the number of refugees accepted into the country, when in fact only 8% agree.

Furthermore, the data indicated that two-thirds of progressive activists would refuse to campaign with individuals who voted for Reform, and 46% expressed a similar unwillingness towards Conservative supporters.

Focus group discussions showed that this demographic often perceives their adversaries as having been misled by false information, which possibly contributes to their negative attitudes. A clear contrast was noted: while 72% of progressive activists harbor unfavorable views of individuals who voted to leave the EU, only 24% of the most conservative segment of voters—termed “backbone conservatives”—share a similar sentiment towards remain supporters.

Source
www.theguardian.com