Donald Trump is overwhelmingly disliked by the British public, an exclusive poll reveals today.
The outspoken US presidential candidate has managed to unite a huge majority of people against him, including Tories and Labour voters and people in every UK region, according to research by Ipsos MORI for the Evening Standard.
Nearly three-quarters of the public — 74 per cent — have an unfavourable opinion of the Republican frontrunner, and just 12 per cent are favourable.
By contrast, his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton is liked by a clear majority of Britons. Some 56 per cent feel favourably about her, and 15 per cent unfavourably.
The verdict on Trump follows years of outbursts by the tycoon, culminating in his call this month for a ban on Muslims travelling to America. David Cameron said the comments were “divisive, stupid and wrong”.
The row continued this weekend when Ms Clinton claimed Islamic State had started using “videos of Donald Trump insulting Islam and Muslims in order to recruit more radical jihadists”. After no evidence of such a video turned up, Trump said: “Knowing the Clintons and knowing Hillary, she made it up.”
But British people have already decided they do not approve of Mr Trump. Hostility was highest among the better-off AB social group, comprising professionals, at 88 per cent. It fell to 64 per cent among the C2DE social classes, which include unskilled workers and people on benefits.
Older people were the most hostile age group, with 80 per cent unfavourable, compared with 75 for under-24s and 64 per cent of 45 to 54-year-olds. Women were slightly more critical of Trump than men, by 75 to 72.
The least hostile group were Ukip supporters, with 46 per cent favourable and 36 per cent unfavourable. Some 76 per cent of Conservatives and 82 per cent of Labour supporters had a negative view of Trump. Ms Clinton received a positive verdict from every segment tested, including 70 per cent of over-65s, 61 per cent of ABs, 59 per cent of Tories, 67 per cent of Labour supporters and half of Ukippers.
Source: Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,040 adults across GB by telephone. December 12—14 2015. Data are weighted.
