The chance
of an improved lifestyle is probably the most obvious benefit of a lottery
windfall, but a recent survey of the voting preferences of lottery winners has
revealed some startling results. The figures show a big win can result in a
shift of political allegiance.
The study
was a joint venture between the UK's Warwick University and their counterpart
in Melbourne, Australia; and the figures show a sudden influx of lottery
cash can often cause even the staunchest left-wing voter to suddenly do an about face
and vote Conservative.
The
research included an analysis of 4,000 British citizens who won up to £20,000
on the UK National Lottery, and also took into account data gathered by
household panel surveys conducted between 1996 and 2009. A staggering 45% of people who won prizes of
£500 or more admitted they subsequently began supporting right-wing parties.
The data
also reveals the change in political bias often happens fast, with 18% of
winners making an immediate switch to the Conservatives—a party that is
commonly believed to represent the interests of the rich.
Professor
Nattavudh Powdthavee from Melbourne University said it was unclear if the
change in political preference resulted from deep held ethical opinions, or was
motivated by self-interest.
"The
amount won in the lottery is completely randomized," Powdthavee pointed
out, "but we saw that the more you won, the more right-leaning you become."
He then speculated this may suggest the winner's new affluence may sway them
towards right-wing ideas like lower taxes.
