Following the announcement of the government’s remaining legislative priorities in the King’s Speech, exclusive polling conducted by Savanta of 100 MPs has delved into the immediate priorities of law-makers. More than two-thirds of MPs believe the government should focus priorities lengthening sentences for violent sexual offenders, with three in five also prioritising the Trans-Pacific free trade deal. Just 17% believed that the Tobacco and Vaping Bill, which is set to be rushed through Parliament this week, should be a priority.

The following Bills were announced in the recent King’s Speech. MPs were asked to rank them in order of priority for the Government to pass into law.

In respect of party splits in agreement on whether it should be a priority, there’s a gaping chasm. Only 6% of Tories think it should as compared to 36% of Labour MPs. Labour MPs are six times as likely to want to prioritise this legislation! Why would a Conservative administration prioritise the passage of a law that is more popular with the opposition than its own troops?

London (25%) and Northern (27%) MPs favour prioritising the legislation far more than those in the South (4%) and Midlands (12%). Given the rise of Reform UK, is it really wise that Conservative MPs prioritise legislation more likely to appeal in traditional Labour areas rather than in its traditional Southern heartlands?

Only 2% of MPs ranked the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as their top priority. Just 8% recorded it as a top 3 priority and a mere 17% had it in their top 5. This clearly isn’t the popular masterstroke the PM thinks it is…

Data provided by JTI.