A new poll shows voters believe Boris Johnson is “irresponsible”, “untrustworthy”, “self-serving” and a “buffoon”.
The survey of 1703 people, carried out by YouGov for Best for Britain and HOPE not hate revealed 39% would describe him as a "buffoon", 31% "untrustworthy", 29% "self-serving" and 26% "irresponsible". 9% described Boris as a racist, while 8% thought he was a "womaniser".
After a damaging week in which Boris Johnson was accused of pushing the UK's ambassador to Washington into resigning, only 2% of Brits view Boris as "statesman-like" or "diplomatic".
And while Boris' hero is wartime leader Winston Churchill, a measly 4% of those polled picked “Churchillian” as one of three words to describe him.
Other key findings from the poll:
- Voters don’t want to leave with No Deal by 45-40, but Conservative voters want a No Deal exit by 68-20.
- Most voters don’t believe Boris can secure a better deal from Brussels. Even amongst Tory voters, there is little optimism that he will secure a better deal. Only 34% of 2017 Tory voters think Johnson could get a better deal with the EU whilst 58% think he cannot.
- Over three-quarters of 2017 Tory voters do not think a Brexit deal that means that the UK is still following some EU rules is honouring the 2016 Referendum. Only 9% of Conservative voters believe that a soft Brexit deal is honouring the referendum vote.
- While Boris Johnson is set to romp home in the leadership contest, Tory voters in this poll have a clear warning for him: don’t compromise on Brexit. 46% of Conservative voters would have a less favourable view of Johnson if Brexit happens with a deal that see the UK following some EU rules and regulations. 39% say they would have a more favourable view of Johnson if he takes Britain out with no deal on 31 October. 57% say they would have a less favourable view of Johnson if Britain does not leave the EU on 31 October.
Commenting, Best for Britain CEO Naomi Smith said:
"These results show that the country is anti-Boris Johnson. And that's no surprise - in one fell swoop this week he made us look like cowards to the US and idiots to Europe.
"It's disgraceful that a tiny fraction of the population will be forcing this buffoon on the rest of us. This country is in desperate need of a different direction. That's why, on 20 July, I will be marching to say no to Boris the buffoon and yes to Europe."
Also commenting, HOPE not hate CEO Nick Lowles said:
"Boris Johnson has hinted at a No Deal Brexit which most voters oppose but which his own base craves. At the same time, few people have confidence he can negotiate a better deal from Brussels.
"A No Deal Brexit would have a devastating impact on communities already struggling but Boris Johnson has little room for manoeuvre because of his posturing during the last few months.
"What Britain needs is for the politicians to come together and work out a process that can bring the country together, and ultimately giving the final say to the voters."
About the polling
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,703 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th - 5th July 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
On 23rd June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union. If each of the following were included in a deal with the EU, do you think that it would or would not uphold the result of the referendum? The UK continuing to follow EU rules and legislation:
All voters
This outcome would uphold the outcome of the referendum: 17%
This outcome would not uphold the outcome of the referendum: 55%
Don’t know: 28%
Conservative voters
This outcome would uphold the outcome of the referendum: 9%
This outcome would not uphold the outcome of the referendum: 77%
Don’t know: 14%
Would you support or oppose Britain leaving the European Union without a deal on 31st October? (Conservative voters in brackets.)
Support: 40% (68%)
Oppose: 45% (20%)
Don’t know: 14% (12%)
How confident, if at all, are you that Boris Johnson will obtain a better Brexit deal from the EU than Theresa May achieved? (Conservative voters in brackets.)
Very confident: 6% (11%)
Fairly confident: 14% (23%)
TOTAL CONFIDENT: 20% (34%)
Not very confident: 22% (30%)
Not confident at all: 46% (28%)
TOTAL NOT CONFIDENT: 68% (58%)
Don’t know: 12% (8%)
Deliver on his promise to leave the EU on 31st October even if he has not achieved a deal from the EU? (2017 Conservative voters in brackets.)
Very confident: 10% (15%)
Fairly confident: 27% (41%)
TOTAL CONFIDENT: 37% (56%)
Not very confident: 22% (23%)
Not confident at all: 26% (12%)
TOTAL NOT CONFIDENT: 48% (35%)
Don’t know: 16% (9%)