Ipsos Research Highlights - February 2017

In British politics Theresa May continues her extended honeymoon with the public, picking up a by-election victory in Copeland that is unprecedented in the last few decades. Jeremy Corbyn now has 51% of Labour voters – let alone swing voters – unhappy with his performance. Talk of a populist surge in western democracies may be over-blown. Our new global in-depth study on populism released this month shows that Brexit and Trump are not signs of a decisive switch to right-wing authoritarianism and protectionism. Yes, there is a widespread anti-politician sentiment globally, and a widespread belief that their society is ‘broken’. However, our global study shows that Britain is very much middle of the road on most measures, with the French most enthusiastic for a ‘strong leader who breaks the rules’, and Germans and Spanish least. Ironically it is the mainstream Conservative party, not the insurgent UKIP, who seem to be benefiting from Brexit so far. Globally, support for free trade remains strong, even if many countries remain anxious about immigration. This month we look again at Britain’s relationship with Europe – despite no sign of a divided public changing their mind on Brexit, they continue to see Europe as more important than the USA to Britain, a position that is unchanged since the beginning of the century. The public feel that Trump SHOULD have been invited for a state visit to Britain, despite protests, and despite having a negative opinion of him. Elsewhere we take a closer look at China, Australia and Columbia, and domestically at the role of immigration and innovation in the NHS, which is now the British public’s number one concern. We look at how to build emotional connections with your customers – always the best sort – as well as whether monumental or incremental decision making is best – and a host of other issues. Please let me know what you think and anything you’d like to see in future. Ben Page Chief Executive Ipsos