(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Half of people in Britain consider their new prime minister should act to reduce immigration into the country, according to a poll by YouGov released by Sky News. 50 per cent of respondents think this should be Gordon Brown's top priority.

An additional 40 per cent of respondents think Brown should work towards withdrawing British troops serving in Iraq, and 31 per cent say reforming the National Health Service (NHS) should also be at the top of the new government's agenda.

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 first speech as prime minister, Brown declared: "I have heard the need for change. Change in our NHS. Change in our schools. Change with affordable housing. Change to build trust in government. Change to protect and extend the British way of life."

On Jun. 28, Brown presented his cabinet. Jacqui Smith became home secretary, and is the first woman to ever oversee matters of immigration and counter-terrorism in Britain.

On Jun. 29, Smith met with Brown and Britain's security services after a car bomb was discovered and defused in central London. Following the meeting, Smith said: "We are currently facing the most serious and sustained threat to our security from international terrorism. (...) This latest incident reinforces the need for the public to remain vigilant and to be alert to the threat that we face at all times."

Polling Data

Which two of the following do you think should be Gordon Brown's top priorities when he becomes prime minister? (Please tick up to two options)

Archive Search

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