ITV News Boris Johnson

ComRes interviewed 2,031 British adults online between 8^th and 11^th August 2014. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Date Published: 11 Aug 2014

Categories: Economy | Politics | Public and communities | UK

Description

·         Two in five (39%) Britons wish more politicians were like Boris Johnson, while a similar proportion (38%) disagree. There do appear to be age and gender differences to Mr Johnson’s appeal with older Britons being more likely to say they wish more politicians were like the Mayor of London (44% of those aged 65+ agree, compared to 31% of 18-24 year olds. Men are significantly more likely to agree than women that they would like to see more politicans like Boris Johnson (43% and 34% respectively).

·         While pundits some have questioned how seriously Boris Johnson is taken, only a third (34%) of British adults believe Mr Johnson is not a serious politician, and just under half (44%) think Mr Johnson would make a better Prime Minister than Ed Miliband, though only 28% think he would be better than David Cameron.

·         A third (35%) of Britons would like to see Boris Johnsons representing the UK on the global stage. The age gender differences appear again, with men more likely than women to agree (38% and 31% respectively). Older Britons are also more likely than their younger counterparts to agree (40% of those aged 65+ compared to 29% of 18-24 year olds).

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 

Statement	Agree	Disagree	Don’t know
Boris Johnson would make a better Prime Minister than Ed Miliband	44%	32%	25%
Boris Johnson would make a better Prime Minister than David Cameron	28%	38%	34%
Boris Johnson is not a serious politician	34%	43%	23%
I would like to see Boris Johnson representing the UK on the global stage	35%	39%	26%
I wish more politicians were like Boris Johnson	39%	38%	23%

Base: All GB adults (n=2,031)

 

POLITICIAN CHARACTERISTICS 

·         Boris Johnson is seen as weird by more Britons than any of the leaders of the four main Parties. Two in five (39%) believe the Mayor of London to be weird, compared to 33% that say the same of Nigel Farage, 25% Ed Miliband, 12% Nick Clegg and 8% David Cameron.

·         Although some critics describe Mr Johnson as out of touch, more say David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband are out of touch than do of Boris Johnson (27%).

·         While very few think the Mayor of London is statesmanlike (8%), as many think he is competent (20%) as say the same of Ed MIliband (19%). He is also seen as having the ability to get things done by 27% of Britons, in line with the 28% that say the same of the Prime Minister.

·         While David Cameron is seen by more Britons than any other leader to be intelligent (39%), Boris Johnson comes above the other leaders (34%).

 

Q: Please select which of the following words or phrases apply to each party leader.

 

Statement	David Cameron	Ed Miliband	Nick Clegg	Nigel Farage	Boris Johnson
Trustworthy	19%	18%	9%	12%	18%
Out of touch with ordinary people	47%	35%	40%	23%	27%
Has the right policies for Britain’s future	23%	18%	7%	19%	14%
Is statesmanlike	36%	11%	5%	6%	8%
Comes across as someone like me	11%	13%	7%	16%	15%
Competent	31%	19%	12%	16%	20%
Intelligent	39%	28%	22%	24%	34%
Can get things done	28%	15%	7%	16%	27%
Weird	8%	25%	12%	33%	39%
None of the above	17%	25%	31%	27%	19%

Base:  All GB adults (n=2,031)

 

TRUST ON THE ECONOMY

·         Boris Johnson is the second most trusted politician on the economy, behind only the Prime Minister David Cameron.

·         A third (34)% of Britons trust David Cameron to see the country through the current economic situation, compared to 28% that say the same of Boris Johnson, 27% that trust the Chancellor George Osborne, 20% Ed Miliband, 18% Nigel Farage.

·         As before, Mr Johnson’s support lies more among men, and older people. 31% of men say they trust Mr Johnson on the economy, compared to 24% of women. One in five (21%) 18-24 year olds trust the Mayor compared to 34% of those aged 65+.

METHODOLOGY NOTE 

ComRes interviewed 2,031 British adults online between 8^th and 11^th August 2014. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.