Labour officials declare a noticeable change in voting patterns among senior citizens, with significant swing gains towards Labour in areas with high numbers of older residents. Analysis indicates a declining support for the Conservatives among pensioners, possibly influenced by concerns over economic challenges and welfare standards for the elderly.
Labour Claims Major Shift Among Older Voters
Labour officials assert that the “grey wall” of senior voters, who largely supported Boris Johnson in the 2019 elections, is declining. The recent local elections saw Labour experiencing significant swing gains in wards with a high population of pensioners. Specifically, wards where residents over 65 comprise a fifth of the population saw an 18% swing from the Conservatives to Labour. In contrast, younger wards had a smaller swing of 4.3% towards Labour.
Jonathan Ashworth, a prominent member of Keir Starmer’s team, emphasized that pensioners feel neglected by the Conservative Party after 14 years of economic challenges. Conversely, Laura Trott, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, defended the Conservatives, highlighting a £900 increase in the state pension this year under their governance.
Polling data from WeThink suggests Tory support among pensioners is waning, with only 32% of those aged 65-74 and 38% of those 75-plus intending to vote Conservative. Labour’s focus on retaining the triple lock for state pensions appears to be a key strategy to garner older voters’ support.
Overall, concerns about the welfare and residential care standards for the elderly persist, with two-thirds of voters feeling the UK does not adequately support older citizens.
By David Williamson, Sunday Express. Updated May 18, 2024.
