Labour Members Hold Tougher Welfare Views Than Expected, Poll 2026

Labour members hold tougher views on welfare than many might expect, according to a new poll, with a majority believing the government spends too much on benefits. The survey of 788 party members, conducted between late June and late July, reveals a membership that is more fiscally conservative on welfare than the party's public image suggests, while also showing strong support for increased defence spending and higher taxes on the wealthy.

Key Findings on Welfare and Spending

The poll, carried out by ThinkLabour, found that 47% of Labour members think the government spends too much on welfare, compared to just 21% who say it does not spend enough. This surprising stance comes despite internal party rows over welfare cuts and public backlash against benefit reductions. When asked about funding the current welfare bill, 52% said taxes should be raised, with 70% specifying that only high earners should face higher taxes, while 24% supported tax increases for everyone.

Defence and Climate Priorities

Members ranked health (43%), the economy (42%), cost of living (39%), and climate change (29%) as the country's most important issues, with welfare benefits (7%) and immigration (6%) far behind. Notably, 68% of members want Britain to spend more on defence, and among those, 61% back paying for it through higher taxes. Additionally, 73% support increased social care spending via higher taxes, either on high earners alone or through general taxation.

Leadership and Internal Dynamics

The survey also shows that three-quarters of Labour members backed Keir Starmer in the 2020 leadership contest. While the poll did not ask about Andy Burnham's leadership, a separate poll before Starmer's poor local election results gave Burnham a net favourability of 72% among members, suggesting he would be a strong contender if a leadership race occurred. Burnham won the leadership unopposed within the parliamentary party, so no member vote was needed.

Comparison of Member Views on Key Issues

Key Takeaways

• Labour members are more hawkish on welfare than expected, with 47% favouring cuts.
• Most members support raising taxes on high earners to fund spending priorities.
• Defence spending is a clear priority for 68% of members, with a majority willing to pay more tax.
• Climate change is a top-three issue for members, despite not being the highest priority.
• Internal leadership dynamics remain fluid, with Burnham enjoying high favourability.

Implications for Policy and Leadership

These findings suggest that Labour's grassroots are more aligned with the current government's welfare stance than public perception might indicate. The data could influence future policy decisions, especially as the party navigates internal debates on benefit cuts and taxation. With Burnham's high favourability, the leadership question remains a backdrop, though no immediate challenge is expected.

FAQ

In conclusion, this polling data challenges assumptions about Labour's grassroots, revealing a membership that prioritises fiscal restraint on welfare while supporting robust investment in defence and social care through progressive taxation. These insights are crucial for understanding the party's future direction and leadership dynamics.

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