Experience in public services or business most seen as signs of a good Prime Minister, but wealthier than average or upper-class parents seen more negatively

With the final 6 candidates for the Conservative leadership contest confirmed, many debates are being had about backgrounds and previous experience. New research by Ipsos shows, of the list given, Britons are most likely to say experience working in public services (47%) and experience working in business (42%) are signs someone will do a good job as Prime Minister.  

Other aspects that are seen as more positive than negative – although only for a minority - include being educated in a state school (by 29% to 4%), serving in the military (by 25% to 7%), coming from a part of the country outside the South-East and London (by 25% to 5%), voting in the same way as you in the Brexit referendum (by 28% to 49%). Looking at previous ministerial experience, around 4 in 10 (37%) see this as a good sign, however this changes if it is experience of being a Government minister under Boris Johnson (14% say good sign while 29% say bad). 

Meanwhile, Britons are most likely to say someone being much wealthier than the average Briton (36%) and having upper class parents (30%) are signs that someone would do a bad job as PM.  Having working class parents is viewed more positively (32% good, 6% bad sign), while having middle-class parents is a marginal net benefit (by 18% to 6%).

Nevertheless, of the characteristics listed, most are seen as unlikely to make any difference on someone’s performance as PM, especially having middle class parents (63% say this makes little difference), coming from a part of the country other than London and the South East (56%), what type of school they were educated in (53% say either state school or private school make no difference), having military experience (52%), having working class parents (50%), and voting in the same way as you in the 2016 EU referendum (49%).

Whilst Conservative and Labour 2019 voters share some views, there are clear differences in emphasis.  Labour supporters are much more likely to see the following as bad signs: experience under Boris Johnson (by 54% to 15% for Conservatives), a private school education (34% to 15%) , above average wealth (47% to 23%), and upper class parents (44% to 16%); but to see state school education (40% to 20%) and working class parents (by 47% to 22%) as a good sing. Military experience is more of a good sign to Conservative voters (by 29% to 18%), as is business experience (by 48% to 37%).

There has also been speculation of an early general election, and the survey shows this raises mixed emotions amongst the public.  When asked what words describe how they would feel if it was announced a general election were to be held this year, 29% say hopeful, 17% each worried, happy and relieved, 16% excited, and 14% frustrated. One in five (22%) say they would not feel anything. 

Generally, there are more favourable reactions than negative ones (47% pick a positive feeling and 32% a negative one), although much more amongst voters for parties other than the Conservatives than among supporters of the current Government.  For example, 47% of Labour 2019 voters would feel hopeful, compared with 21% of Conservative voters, but Conservative 2019 voters are more likely to feel worried, by 25% to 11%.

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

There has been much talk about the impact of the background of the candidates in the Conservative leadership race, but for the public they say that many aspects of someone’s personal history don’t make much difference.  The main advantages are from experience in public services and business, while around 1 in 3 think an upper class or particularly wealthy upbringing are a disadvantage – probably reflecting the importance people place on having a PM who understands the problems facing Britain and is in touch with ordinary people.  
Meanwhile, the prospect of an early General Election raises a mix of emotions amongst the public, both positive and negative – but Labour supporters are feeling much more hopeful about one than Conservative voters.

Technical note:

• Ipsos interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,000 adults aged 18-75 in Great Britain. Interviews took place on the online Omnibus on 12th-13th July 2022. Data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.