UK politicians think public opposition to climate policy is far greater than it is, study finds

UK politicians think public opposition to climate policy is far greater than it is, study finds Fred Lewsey Wed, 08/19/2026 - 09:50 Members of Parliament from the UK’s three biggest political parties in the House of Commons significantly overestimate levels of public resistance to major policy proposals for tackling climate change, a University of Cambridge study suggests . Researchers say it may be the first data-led evidence for a “spiral of silence” in Westminster, where skewed perceptions of public sentiment among politicians can reduce political support for a policy. The study’s authors,