In the lead-up to the UK’s general election, it appears that trans rights will play a negligible role in influencing voters’ choices. Recent research conducted by the Policy Institute at King’s College London in collaboration with Ipsos UK reveals that merely one percent of voters consider trans rights a key factor in their decision-making process. This finding comes as members of the Conservative party express their intention to focus on the “trans debate and culture wars” in the upcoming election, albeit with little resonance among the electorate.
The study, which delves into the landscape of culture war debates, divisions, and politics in the UK, also sheds light on changing public perceptions and attitudes within short time frames. These culture wars encompass contentious topics such as attacks on transgender rights, particularly in relation to single-sex spaces and women’s sports, issues surrounding refugees and migration, and the broader discourse on equality, diversity, and inclusion policies—the so-called “woke agenda.”
Surveying 3,716 adults across the UK in August 2023, the research found that trans rights ranked notably lower on the list of voters’ priorities, with only one percent deeming it a pivotal issue. In contrast, topics like asylum seekers (13 percent), the cost of living crisis (43 percent), and the state of the National Health Service (28 percent) took precedence.
Furthermore, the research illustrates a growing skepticism among the public. A striking 62 percent of respondents believe that politicians manipulate or exaggerate culture wars as a political strategy—a significant increase of 18 percentage points since 2020. Simultaneously, 56 percent suspect that politicians who emphasize divisions over cultural issues are attempting to divert attention from more pressing matters.
Despite this skepticism, a nuanced picture emerges, with a substantial portion of the public (49 percent) still viewing culture wars as real-life issues rather than mere media or online constructs (22 percent). For the first time, a majority (52 percent) acknowledge culture wars as a significant challenge for UK society and politics.
The research also captures shifting attitudes toward the term “woke,” with 42 percent of respondents considering it an insult, marking an increase from previous years. While the figures remain steady for those who embrace being labeled as “woke” (27 percent in 2023), it’s noteworthy that men (21 percent) and older respondents (24 percent) are more likely to express anti-woke sentiments compared to their younger counterparts (6 percent).
Professor Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, highlights the rapid adoption of culture war issues in the UK over the past few years. However, he cautions against the dangers of entrenched culture war divisions, emphasizing the importance of avoiding such conflicts, as they tend to be divisive and challenging to resolve.
In sum, while trans rights may not be a defining issue in the upcoming general election, the broader culture war landscape in the UK continues to evolve, impacting public perceptions and political strategies in complex ways.