A new study by the polling group More in Common has found that leftwing activists in the UK are significantly less likely to collaborate with political opponents than other voting groups. The research highlights a pattern of ideological insularity among “progressive activists,” which the authors argue has contributed to the repeated failures of left-leaning campaigns and the rise of rightwing movements.
The study classifies progressive activists as a distinct group, making up about 8% of the UK population. However, they are disproportionately represented in public-sector bodies and charitable organizations, where their influence is more pronounced. This group holds unique views on various political and social issues, often diverging sharply from the broader British electorate.
One of the study’s key findings is that progressive activists tend to overestimate public support for their positions. For instance, they believe that 35% of the British public supports abolishing the monarchy, whereas the actual figure is 18%. Similarly, they assume that 25% of the population favors allowing more refugees into the country, when polling indicates that only 8% hold this view. This miscalculation reflects a significant disconnect between their perspectives and mainstream public opinion.
Another major concern raised by the study is their reluctance to engage with individuals who hold opposing views. Two-thirds of progressive activists reported that they would never campaign alongside someone who voted for Reform UK, while 46% said they would refuse to work with a Conservative voter. This level of political division stands out compared to other voting blocs, where there is generally greater openness to cross-party collaboration.
The research also reveals that progressive activists are more likely than other groups to view political opponents negatively. While 72% of them hold a negative opinion of Leave voters, only 24% of the most right-leaning voters—identified as “backbone conservatives”—express a similar level of negativity toward Remain voters. This suggests a stronger inclination among progressive activists to attribute their opponents’ views to misinformation or ignorance rather than legitimate political differences.
The study argues that this insularity has practical consequences for progressive movements. The reluctance to engage with those who do not already share their views may be undermining efforts to drive social and political change. Instead of focusing on persuasion and coalition-building, progressive activists often impose ideological purity tests on potential allies, limiting their ability to build broad-based support.
One of the most striking aspects of the findings is the group’s distinct stance on immigration. Unlike any other segment of the electorate, the majority of progressive activists believe immigration levels should remain the same or increase. They are also significantly more likely to believe that “woke culture” has had a positive impact on British society, a view that is less commonly held among the wider population.
The report concludes that if progressive activists want to regain political momentum, they must adopt a more pragmatic approach. This involves using clear and inclusive language to reach a wider audience, acknowledging that their perspectives may not be universally accepted, and actively persuading others rather than assuming automatic agreement with their viewpoints.
The findings highlight a growing challenge for the left in the UK. While progressive activists have been at the forefront of social change movements, their increasing isolation from the general public may be hindering their effectiveness. The study suggests that unless they adopt a more inclusive strategy, their campaigns will continue to struggle against a rising wave of rightwing opposition.