A comparison of the attitudes of current MPs and Tomorrowmentarians* towards business

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1 A comparison of the attitudes of current MPs and * towards business The next election will herald the most dramatic change of parliamentarians in living memory. Most commentators expect that well over half of the next House of Commons will be new MPs. The average age of MPs will fall markedly, bringing some generational changes in attitude and, perhaps, a greater willingness to challenge old assumptions and consider new ideas. The balance of Parliamentary opinion towards your organisation, or on the issues that matter to you, may be about to change significantly. * are current MPs who will retain their seat and PPCs who will win the seat they are contesting if the General Election result is identical to the average of the latest voting intention polls by Populus, ICM and YouGov (Conservative: 40.33%, Labour: 29.66%, Lib/Dem: 18.33% and Others: 11.66%) Based on 89 interviews with and 106 interviews with. Research was conducted in November/December Data are weighted by political party to be representative of the current Parliament and of tomorrow s parliament based on latest voting intention data.

2 Attitudes toward business and the environment Please say if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? Agree If economic globalisation is inevitable, it should primarily serve humanity rather than the interests of trans-national corporations 71% 81% The attitude of the House after the next election will be more positive toward business than the current House. The freer the market, the freer the people Controlling inflation is more important than controlling unemployment Setting limits on carbon dioxide emissions and making companies pay for their emissions, even if this results in higher prices for manufactured goods and energy Corporations cannot be trusted to voluntarily protect the environment; they require regulation to force them to do so 34% 52% 25% 37% 84% 72% 80% 71% Tomorrow s parliament believes that the free market is the way to secure personal freedom, but the current parliament disagrees with this view. Compared to existing MPs, parliamentarians of tomorrow feel it is more important to control inflation than unemployment. The new parliament will be more resistant to increasing prices or regulation to protect the environment. While feel regulation is required to force business to protect the environment, they are less intent on the need for regulation and setting limits on CO2 emissions than current MPs. Base: (89) (106)

3 Broadcasting Pharmaceutical Supermarkets Telecoms Aerospace Arts and culture Food and drink Water Rail Retailing Banks / financial services Alcoholic drinks Tobacco Electricity retailing Insurers Fast food Gambling Payment card Video/electronic game Engages well Engaging with MPs / How well do companies in each of the following sectors generally perform when it comes to engaging effectively with opinion formers about the issues that matter in their sector? 59% 50% 42% Net Well/Poorly 27% 22% 22% 21% 21% 24% 16% 15% 9% 9% 10% 5% 3% -1% -7% -5% -4% -9%-11%-9%-9%-10% -15% -11% -18% -19% -26% -28% -34%-36% -39% -52% -64% -65% -72% Engages poorly Base: (89) (106)

4 Banks / financial Tobacco Alcoholic drinks Fast food Gambling Rail Electricity retailing Broadcasting Water Supermarkets Business sectors with most difficult communication challenges in next five years Which three or four of these sectors do you think face the most difficult communication challenges in the next five years? 100% 80% 74% 78% 64% 60% 56% 40% 45% 43% 20% 24% 22% 24% 23% 23% 18% 21% 18% 20% 22% 14% 16% 14% 15% 0% Base: (89) (106)

5 Contact To find out more about this study contact: Karan Chadda