(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Britain are not expecting the status quo to change under a new prime minister, according to a poll by ICM Research published in The Guardian. 61 per cent of respondents think the performance of the government will stay about the same under Gordon Brown.

On Jun. 27, Brown officially took over as prime minister from Tony Blair. Brown—who had worked as chancellor of the exchequer—became Labour's leader on Jun. 24. 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.

In his inauguration speech, Brown declared: "This will be a new government with new priorities. (...) I have been privileged to be granted the great opportunity to serve my country. And in all times, I will be strong in purpose, steadfast in will, resolute in action, in the service of what matters to the British people, meeting the concerns and aspirations of our whole country." 48 per cent of respondents think the new Brown government should focus on the National Health Service (NHS), while 35 per cent think it should shift its attention towards education.

Yesterday, Brown presented his cabinet, which features David Miliband as foreign secretary, Alistair Darling as chancellor of the exchequer, Allan Johnson as health secretary, and Jack Straw as justice secretary.

Polling Data

What is your view, after Gordon Brown takes over do you expect that the performance of the government will....

What two or three things do you think Gordon Brown should have as his main priorities when he becomes prime minister?

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.