The trends: 2010 vs 2014
Major gains among evangelicals for Labour, the Greens and UKIP
In 2010, evangelicals’ support for the Conservatives was high at 40%, according to figures from the Evangelical Alliance (EA). By 2014, this figure had dropped to 28%. Likewise, support among evangelicals for the Liberal Democrats fell from 29% to 11% during the four-year period.
Meanwhile, support for the Labour party rose from 22% to 31%, with the Green Party seeing support rise from 1% to 6% and UKIP experiencing a major hike from 2% to 12%. Support for ‘other’ parties doubled from 6% to 12%.
These figures were close to general public opinion. However, for the battle at the top, evangelicals were tipped to slightly favour Labour, while the UK in general has the Conservatives just on top.
What issues do evangelicals care about?
94% say they are certain or likely to vote in the coming General Election
39% say they won’t be voting for the same party as they did in 2010
93% say when voting for candidates it is very important they are honourable and not corrupt (far more important than anything else)
71% say policies ensuring religious liberty are very important and would affect their vote (making this the highest-ranked issue)
24% are still undecided which way they will vote
In a general election 39% (the highest proportion) would prioritise the party best helping others in need, compared to only 5% for the party that will most help them personally
6% think politicians can be trusted to keep their manifesto promises
92% think more Christians need to get involved in politics
32% ranked poverty/inequality as the most important issue facing the UK (compared to 4% of the national population)
Statistics taken from the '21st Century Evangelicals: Faith in Politics?' survey conducted by the Evangelical Alliance, published spring 2015
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