Politics

Navigating the 2026 Local and Devolved Elections

Over half of Scots (51%) think that energy policy should be devolved to the Scottish Government, while a quarter (25%) feel responsibility should be shared equally with the UK Government and 14% that it should be reserved to Westminster.

More than half of the Scottish public view immigrants as having a negative impact on the availability of housing.

The latest Ipsos Political Pulse explores attitudes towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

New polling data from Ipsos in the UK, conducted 2–8 April 2026, reveals a complex political landscape in Wales ahead of the Senedd elections. While Plaid Cymru has a slight lead in voting intentions, Reform voters are more committed, and many voters say they may still change their mind. The research also highlights widespread public frustration with the performance of the Welsh Government and a significant lack of trust in any single party to address the nation's top priorities.

With just two weeks to go until the Scottish Parliament election on 7th May, new data from Ipsos’s Scotland Political Pulse shows that, while voters are not particularly impressed by any of the parties, the SNP have the edge, with views on both the party and their leader improving since last month.

Ipsos’ latest English local elections research is now released, with fieldwork carried out 2-8 April. This means field work was carried out before media reporting around Peter Mandelson’s vetting and the Government’s response. Ipsos interviewed more than 1,600 adults in England in local authorities where elections are taking place in May.

Ipsos’ latest Political Monitor is now released, with fieldwork carried out 9-15 April 2026. This means fieldwork was conducted before recent announcements about Peter Mandelson failing his security vetting.

New data from Ipsos in the UK, taken 27th – 30th March 2026, explores attitudes towards the upcoming local elections in parts of England. Note this data is GB wide, therefore includes respondents who do not have an upcoming local election.