Previously dubbed as mass-market women – or ‘housewives’ – the Heart of Britain population refers to the 14.2 million women in the UK aged 35+, social grade C1C2DE, and account for over half (54%) of all women eligible to vote in the UK (26.1m).
A significant majority (64%) say that the general election campaigns have so far failed to address their needs, with the top five issues most important to them being the NHS (76%), crime (50%), the environment (42%), the economy (38%) and terrorism (38%). However, says TI Media, this selfless group aren’t just thinking about themselves and their family, with 47% saying the greater good of society will also influence their vote.
Voting intentions of this audience currently put Labour and Conservative neck-and-neck at 31% and 30% respectively, but 12% remain undecided, leaving a potential 1.6m votes still to be won. While a third (32%) would have preferred a second referendum to a general election and with Brexit only rating as the 12th most important factor in their decision making, sorting Brexit out is the top reason (61%) given for voting Conservative. However, 55% put the NHS as the number one reason for voting Labour and 68% say they are concerned about the potential for Trump to use the NHS as a bargaining tool in trade negotiations.
Angie O’Farrell, group managing director of TI Media brands that speak to the Heart of Britain audience, says: “These women are hugely influential within our society, with friends and family often turning to them for advice, so if they don’t think that politicians are addressing their concerns, then there’s a gaping hole in their campaigns.
“In these last crucial days, political parties of all persuasions need to focus squarely on the issues that are key to the women at the heart of Britain to secure their votes.”
Key National Findings
- 32% would have preferred a second referendum to a general election
- 64% say the general election campaigns have not dealt with the real, day-to-day issues that affect them
- 68% are concerned about President Trump using the NHS as a bargaining tool under a Conservative government
Top five reasons for voting Labour:
- 55% say they have the best interest for the NHS at heart
- 41% say social welfare and benefits will be best handled by this party
- 39% say they are on the side of people like me
- 35% say they generally have trust in this party
- 28% say housing will be better under this party
Tope five reasons for voting Conservative:
- 61% say they will sort out Brexit
- 36% say they are best placed to look after the UK economy
- 29% think they will sort out crime in this country and support the police
- 28% say they generally have trust in this party
- 28% say they will sort out immigration
Voting intention:
- 31% Labour
- 30% Conservatives
- 12% don’t know
- 8% The Liberal Democrats
- 7% not voting
- 5% Scottish National Party
The survey was carried out with a nationally representative survey of UK women aged 35+ with a sample size of 800.
