What support is there in the UK for renationalisation of public utilities? Evidence on drivers and fluidity of support via adversarial narrative co-production

What level support is there for nationalisation of public utilities in the UK? The Government has committed to addressing ongoing performance issues in private provision and control of water (England and Wales) and energy (UK-wide), but has cited cost and public opposition to cost as reason not to take utilities into public hands. In this unique, mixed-methods examination of the topic, we analyse drivers and fluidity in support for an illustrative programme of public utilities reform grounded in nationalisation or ‘deprivatistion’ ahead of the 2024 UK General Election. We present, first, the results of adversarial co-production of four narratives to persuade voters of the programme with 10 firm opponents – ‘haters’ – of the same policy identified via a screening survey of 693 adult residents of Red Wall constituencies. We then analyse a nationally representative survey of 2,200 adult UK residents, which elicited demographic and socioeconomic data, initial level of support for the policy and level of support following presentation of the four narratives. We find high levels of support for a programme of nationalisation and large-scale investment that transcends party affiliation and demographic characteristics, and that this support increases further when voters are presented with narratives. This is the first example of adversarial co-production being deployed in examination of utilities policy. We find high levels of support for reform, particularly where burdens are placed on wealth and business, significant impact of narratives, particularly on ‘haters’, and clear associations between risk of destitution and various other socioeconomic characteristics, health status and levels of support.