VOTERS in the West Midlands believe that the environment is a more important concern at the upcoming general election than Brexit, according to research by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

According to a poll conducted by the wildlife charity, 42 per cent of people in the West Midlands see the environment as the issue that causes them most concern, compared with just 40 per cent who think it is Brexit.

The environment was the second most concerning issue to voters, with healthcare coming top.

The new WWF data reveals that 81 per cent of  people in the West Midlands are alarmed about the environmental crisis, with 70 per cent claiming they are more concerned now than ten years ago.

Among the areas most concerning to voters were climate change, plastic usage and the loss of wildlife, with the figures also showing that 31 per cent of respondents had never seen a Hedgehog before.

And Fanny Calder, Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs for the WWF, says they were ‘shocked’ when the results of the poll came back.

“We’ve done this poll in the West Midlands because we believe it’s essential that whoever is in government next take the climate and nature climate emergency incredibly seriously,” she said.

“Thinking it was going to be a Brexit dominated election, we were shocked by our results to find that people of the West Midlands cared more about environmental issues than whether we leave or remain. Not just that, but people ranked the environment as more of a concern than the economy, education and employment in the area.

“Specifically, 81 per cent are concerned about the environment, with 70 per cent being more concerned than they were ten years ago – it’s not surprising when 54 per cent said they saw more wildlife in their childhood than they do now.

“Even though we’re pretty divided as a region as to what policies we believe in and support with things like Brexit, it’s clear that the environment is something we all agree needs urgent action.

“Tragically but not surprisingly, our polling is also reflecting the lack of wildlife in the West Midlands. Residents are losing sight of the wildlife we so closely associate with the British Isles with an amazing 31 per cent having never seen a hedgehog. Even more amazing is that 35 per cent of residents in the West Midlands couldn’t confidently identify a Robin.

“It’s a dangerous sign that nature is in freefall and as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, it’s pretty clear that the government needs to act on this.”