(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Two-in-five Britons choose a positive word to describe the leader of the Conservative party, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 42 per cent of respondents think David Cameron is intelligent.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Two-in-five Britons choose a positive word to describe the leader of the Conservative party, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 42 per cent of respondents think David Cameron is intelligent.
Conversely, 48 per cent of respondents think current prime minister Gordon Brown is out of touch, and 46 per cent deem him boring. In addition, 28 per cent of respondents consider Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg as intelligent, and 22 per cent believe he is open.
In June 2007, Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.
Since December 2005, Cameron has been the leader of the Conservative party. In December 2007, current parliamentarian Clegg became the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.
On Jan. 8, Brown discussed the next election, saying, "I think Conservatives wanted it to be a small choice election; this is a big choice election: whether you want a government that’s prepared to achieve full recovery or put it at risk with the Conservatives; whether you want to go for more jobs or let unemployment continue to cause huge problems and whether you want fairness in public services or cuts."
The next election to the House of Commons must be held on or before Jun. 3. Sitting prime ministers can dissolve Parliament and call an early ballot at their discretion.
Polling Data
Here are some words that people may use to describe [Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg]. Please choose up to six words that you think describe him.
|
Gordon Brown |
David Cameron |
Nick Clegg |
|
|
Down to earth |
16% |
18% |
21% |
|
Arrogant |
30% |
31% |
9% |
|
Open |
8% |
22% |
22% |
|
Secretive |
28% |
15% |
7% |
|
Efficient |
10% |
21% |
13% |
|
Inefficient |
39% |
12% |
13% |
|
Compassionate |
14% |
20% |
13% |
|
Uncaring |
20% |
15% |
5% |
|
Honest |
14% |
17% |
19% |
|
Dishonest |
26% |
16% |
5% |
|
Strong |
12% |
20% |
7% |
|
Weak |
38% |
14% |
19% |
|
Exciting |
2% |
7% |
3% |
|
Boring |
46% |
18% |
20% |
|
In touch |
8% |
22% |
17% |
|
Out of touch |
48% |
25% |
15% |
|
Intelligent |
27% |
42% |
28% |
|
Foolish |
25% |
12% |
8% |
|
None of the above |
5% |
12% |
29% |
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,005 British adults, conducted from Jan. 5 to Jan. 6, 2010. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
