FGS Global is committed to providing sharp insights into UK public opinion and its implications for business. In the latest episode of our Public Pulse podcast, Emma Morris sits down with Lord Andrew Cooper and Ruben Yogarajah to unpack what Britain's new Prime Minister means for the political landscape, what the Clacton by-election tells us about the state of Reform UK, and why there is a growing disconnect between Westminster and the public on energy policy.
Lord Andrew Cooper offers expert analysis of the public opinion challenges facing Andy Burnham at the start of his leadership. While Burnham enters Downing Street with a more positive public profile than his predecessor, Andrew cautions that voter impatience will set in quickly. With this being Britain's seventh Prime Minister in a decade, the central question is whether Burnham can deliver a sense of direction and momentum where others have failed. Andrew also examines Reform UK's fading poll numbers, and what the Clacton by-election — now featuring a record 26 candidates — reveals about Nigel Farage's political position heading into the autumn.
In the second half of the podcast, Ruben Yogarajah presents findings from FGS Global's latest research, based on polling of over 2,000 UK adults and more than 100 MPs. The data reveals a significant gulf between parliamentary debate and public opinion on the UK's most consequential energy decisions — from North Sea licensing to the electrification of the economy. Notably, the most popular position among voters across all parties is to invest in both renewables and expand North Sea production, a nuance largely absent from political debate. Ruban argues that this disconnect creates both risk and opportunity for businesses operating in the energy sector, and that policy volatility over the next two to three years is almost guaranteed.
Listen to the full episode to stay ahead of the trends shaping public opinion and business strategy.
