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03 December 2019

With less than two weeks to go until the General Election, nearly two thirds (59%) of brokers are predicting a win for the Conservative Party, and more importantly, a win and an overall majority.

In a new poll carried out by United Trust Bank amongst 120 brokers working in the property and asset finance sectors, a further 33% of respondents predicted that the Conservative Party will win the most seats but not enough to give them an overall majority, potentially creating a stalemate in Parliament over Brexit again.

Just 4% of brokers expect the Labour Party to win the General Election with a majority.

What do you believe the result of the General Election will be?

Conservatives win the most seats and gain a majority	59%
Labour win the most seats and gain a majority	4%
Conservatives win the most seats but not a majority – Hung parliament	33%
Labour win the most seats but not a majority – Hung parliament	3%
None of the above	1%

Moving on to the Brexit deadlock, researchers asked brokers if their ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ views had changed. Despite how many voted ‘Remain’ in the 2016 referendum, 66% of brokers now just want to get on with Brexit with only 25% still hoping to delay or stop the withdrawal from the EU.

With which of the following statements do you agree?

I voted ‘Leave’ and want to get on with Brexit	42%
I voted ‘Remain’ but now want to get on with Brexit	24%
I voted ‘Leave’ but would now prefer to delay or stop Brexit	4%
I voted ‘Remain’ and would prefer to delay or stop Brexit	21%
I didn’t vote in the 2016 referendum	6%
None of the above	3%

Harley Kagan, Group Managing Director of United Trust Bank, commented: “The current polls suggest a reasonable lead for the Conservative Party, but two weeks is a long time in politics! It’s interesting how many brokers are predicting a majority for Boris Johnson’s Conservatives and perhaps that’s driven by a wish to get on with business.

“Living and working with uncertainty has become the new normal for many of us. We cannot simply put life and plans on hold and wait for stability to return. Whatever the circumstances, Brexit or remain, deal or no deal, something else may eventually come along and change the picture. When planning, we are prepared for the unexpected but not deterred by it. Whilst not ignoring what’s going on around us, we have nonetheless continued to invest in our business, both in people, processes and technology.

“UTB is heading towards another successful year of lending growth, but we will predominantly reflect on 2019 as a year of investment. Whatever happens, this year or next, UTB is committed to remaining a significant player in the specialist lending industry for many years to come.”