Ipsos Research Highlights - January 2017
2017 has got off to a dramatic start following President Trump’s series of Executive Orders. Globally most people expect him to do a bad job of president, and this month’s demonstrations around the world suggest it may be some time before the world changes its opinion.
In Britain, our media and political classes remain obsessed with Brexit, and the country remains split between focussing on free trade with the EU single market or on restricting immigration – making it harder for the Prime Minister to maintain her balancing act. Theresa May’s ratings have slipped slightly this month but she remains far ahead of Jeremy Corbyn, whose ratings are also in decline.
This month's key issues in the UK are the NHS – rising up the scale of public concerns following a spate of reports of heavy demand, alongside Brexit and immigration. We record the highest ever concern about poverty/inequality, mentioned by 20% - despite official figures – reflecting pressure on household incomes and cuts in public spending.
We look at the rise of ‘populism’ this month, with a large in-depth global study. It shows a widespread anti-elite, anti-globalisation and anti-politician sentiment that has led some commentators to frame President Trump, Brexit, and possible right wing populist victories in 2017 as a new global upheaval. We look in depth across 20 countries and find that, as always, it’s a bit more complicated than that – although Trump does have a lot in common with another populist, Silvio Berlusconi.
Elsewhere we look at gender equality (men think women have it, but far fewer women agree in the UK or most other countries), what the FTSE500 want from the government’s industrial strategy (infrastructure) , and much, much more around how consumers make decisions and brand effectiveness.
I hope you enjoy it.
As always please get in touch and let us know what you think!
Ben Page Chief Executive Ipsos
