We conducted two days of immersive research across the Hitchin constituency, interviewing 85 residents, with a particular focus on speaking to Labour voters.

We found a clear sense of disappointment with the Government from a sizable group. This was particularly present among voters who had switched to Labour at the last election. This came from both sides of the Party, from voters on the left there were concerns around austerity politics and on the right fears over lack of action on immigration and the early prisoner release scheme. More broadly, Labour voters talked of the  voting for a ‘change’ narrative which they had yet seen little sign of – although many people here pointed out that it was still too soon to fully judge.

Ed Shackle, head of qualitative research at Public First who led the research, highlighted the political imperative for Labour to start dealing with this rising discontent. “As Labour heads towards its first Budget, the clock is already ticking to start delivering with swing voters. What they’ve seen so far – cuts to winter fuel allowance and releasing prisoners early – has gone down badly and led some to already question their vote.

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