Majority Support In Parliament For Replacement Nuclear Plants

Research by Ipsos among British MPs this Summer has shown a major boost to the acceptability of building replacement nuclear power stations. Sixty-one percent of MPs now support this; up 16 points since Summer 2005. Within this, the most notable change is the growth in support among Labour MPs: up 22 points to 60%. There is a sense this support is a little reluctant — just 44% are actually favourable towards nuclear energy — but it is sustained by a feeling there is no real alternative, given the need for limiting carbon emissions.

Support for new nuclear construction is based on recognition that there will be an energy gap without it, and that the likely extent of renewable energy developed will not be sufficient to fill it. The avoidance of relying on overseas sources for our energy is also an important factor. The minority who continue to oppose new construction are most concerned about the disposal of radioactive waste and the economic issues surrounding the potential cost of nuclear plants.

Download the main findings of this survey pdf, 57KB

Technical details

Ipsos interviewed 108 MPs face-to-face between 12 June and 25 July 2006. The results were weighted by the composition of the House and the proportions of frontbench and backbench MPs to ensure they are representative.