Cameron still viewed as most capable leader although Corbyn seen as being more honest than most politicians

David Cameron still viewed as most capable leader although Jeremy Corbyn seen as being more honest than most politicians 

David Cameron is revealed as the most capable party leader in the eyes of the British public in the latest Ipsos Political Monitor. When asked about various attributes of each of the leaders more than half (53%) say the Prime Minister is a capable leader compared with 27% who say the same for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Sixteen percent see Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron as a capable and one in four (24%) say UKIP’s Nigel Farage is capable.

David Cameron also leads the field as being the most patriotic of the leaders with two in three (65%) associating this quality with him, just ahead of Nigel Farage (61%). Two in five (42%) say Jeremy Corbyn is patriotic while one in four (26%) say the same for Tim Farron.

David Cameron is well ahead of the Labour leader in other areas such as on being good in a crisis (48% compared with 19%), having a clear vision for Britain (52% compared with 39%), and having a lot of personality (41% compared with 28%) although Nigel Farage leads all four leaders on the latter quality (mentioned by 57%). Jeremy Corbyn however leads the Prime Minister on being more honest than most politicians (47% compared with 23%).

 

David Cameron also leads Jeremy Corbyn when it comes to a number of negative qualities. Seven in ten (70%) say the Prime Minister is out of touch with ordinary people compared with one in three (33%) who say this for Jeremy Corbyn. More also say David Cameron is more style than substance (44% compared with 17%) and three in four (74%) say that Mr Cameron looks after some sections of society more than others compared with 55% saying this for Mr Corbyn. The Prime Minister and Labour leader are however seen in a more similar light when it comes to understanding the problems facing Britain (46% say this for David Cameron and 48% for Jeremy Corbyn).

 

When it comes to leadership satisfaction ratings 37% say they are satisfied with David Cameron doing his job as Prime Minister (up 3 points) and 56% say they are dissatisfied (down 3 points). One in three (38%) are satisfied with Jeremy Corbyn doing his job as Labour leader (up 3 points) and 43% are dissatisfied (down 3 points). One in five (21%) are satisfied with Tim Farron (down 3 points) and 29% dissatisfied (down 7 points) however half (50%) are still unsure about the Liberal Democrat Leader. One in three (32%) are satisfied with UKIP’s Nigel Farage (down 6 points) and 38% dissatisfied (down 2 points).

When it comes to leadership satisfaction from their own parties David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have similar ratings. Seven in ten (71%) of Conservative supporters are satisfied with David Cameron doing his job and one in four (24%) are dissatisfied. This compares to two in three (66%) Labour supporters satisfied with Jeremy Corbyn and one in four (24%) dissatisfied.

Gideon Skinner, Head of Political Research at Ipsos, said:

“David Cameron remains well ahead on some of the key attributes voters tell us they want to see in a Prime Minister, such as being capable and good in a crisis, despite rising numbers of people thinking he is out of touch and Jeremy Corbyn’s ratings as the most honest of the party leaders.”

• Download the survey topline (PDF)
• Download the computer tables (PDF)
• Download the charts (PDF)

Technical note:

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,026 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. Interviews were conducted by telephone 16-18 April 2016. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.