A NEW poll has revealed significant regional disparities in political engagement and trust across the UK, with a particular focus on Wales. The survey, conducted by Times Radio, and which sampled over 4,000 adults, highlights a growing disconnect between national politicians and local communities as the nation approaches the 2024 General Election.

Londoners emerged as the most politically informed group, with 67% of respondents feeling well-informed about national politics. The capital also boasts the highest proportion of residents considering a career in politics, with 9% willing to become MPs. This contrasts sharply with the West Midlands, where only 4% share this aspiration.

An overwhelming 73% of UK respondents believe Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party fail to grasp local political issues. Labour leader Keir Starmer fares slightly better, but still, 57% feel he is out of touch with local concerns. In the North East, distrust in Sunak’s understanding of local issues peaks at 86%, while 69% in the East Midlands share this sentiment.

The survey revealed that 61% of the British public feel well-informed about national politics. Londoners (67%) and residents of Yorkshire and the Humber (62%) feel the best informed, contrasting sharply with the East Midlands, where only 53% feel similarly knowledgeable.

A notable 39% of respondents believe they could perform better than current politicians. Men are more likely than women to consider entering politics, with 10% of men versus 3% of women contemplating a run for MP. The survey also found that 10% of respondents would consider running for local office.

The survey identified the top challenges for politicians, with 47% of respondents citing the responsibility of making impactful decisions as the greatest burden. Additionally, 35% mentioned facing abuse, and 28% highlighted the difficulty of making ethical decisions. A small minority (17%) believe there are no real challenges in political leadership.

Focusing on Wales, a significant 38% of respondents believe they could personally do a better job than most current politicians. This sentiment reflects a high level of political discontent and a desire for change. When it comes to understanding Welsh political issues, respondents in Wales have double the confidence in Keir Starmer and the Labour Party (24%) over Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party (12%). The majority of Welsh people feel well-informed about UK politics (61%) and over a third (39%) feel well-informed about Welsh politics. 40% of Welsh people said they often discuss political issues with friends and family.

The upcoming general election for the newly established Mid and South Pembrokeshire seat is expected to be closely contested. Currently, the main candidates are Stephen Crabb for the Conservatives, Henry Tufnell for Labour, and Alistair Cameron for the Welsh Liberal Democrats. Polling data suggests a potential narrow victory for Labour, with YouGov’s model indicating that Labour might secure 42.6% of the vote compared to 33.4% for the Conservatives. This prediction aligns with broader trends and demographic analyses suggesting a shift towards Labour in this new constituency.

The new boundaries combine areas from the former Preseli Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire seats, potentially altering traditional voting patterns. Historical voting data from the areas incorporated into this new constituency show mixed support, with some wards previously leaning Conservative but now predicted to favour Labour. Given these factors, Labour appears to have a slight edge, but the race remains competitive and subject to change as the election approaches.

These findings underscore the complexities and demands of political leadership in the current climate, as well as the disconnect with local communities.

The full survey results, conducted by YouGov Plc, involved 4,092 adults between 31st May and 4th June 2024. For more details on the findings, visit Times Radio.