Trumpism Without Trump? The UK’s Divided Opinion on the New US President

Public opinion in the UK towards Donald Trump presents a striking contradiction. While many Britons support his policies, particularly on immigration, trade and national security, Trump himself remains an unpopular figure. This suggests that elements of Trumpism resonate with sections of the UK electorate, yet his personality, communication style and leadership qualities remain a major stumbling block.

Trump’s presence on the global stage continues to spark debate and with upcoming meetings between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the President to discuss the UK-US “Special Relationship” and international security issues like Ukraine, his impact on Britain remains a relevant and pressing issue.

Divided Opinion on Trump

The UK public remains deeply divided over Trump. While 42% view him favourably, 51% hold an unfavourable opinion. His strongest support comes from men (47% favourable) but the majority still reject him (48%). Women outright reject him (55%) and voters aged 35+ view him as unfavourable. Meanwhile, the younger voter is split, whilst those aged 18-24 view him unfavourably (55%), those aged 25-34 are the only age group who are favourable towards the President (49%).

Reform UK voters are highly pro-Trump (74% favourable), followed by the Conservatives (57%). In contrast, Labour, SNP and Green voters are almost universally opposed. This suggests that while a significant portion of right-leaning UK voters admire Trump, his reputation remains toxic across much of the electorate, particularly among older and more progressive voters.

Has Trump’s Presidency Been Effective or Damaging to the UK?

Opinions on Trump’s presidency remain deeply divided among UK voters, with 39% approving of his time in office and 42% disapproving, reflecting a highly mixed legacy. In terms of UK-US relations, 30% believe he strengthened ties, while 40% think he damaged them. Trump has already demonstrated a willingness to challenge even the United States’ closest allies and with upcoming meetings between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the President to discuss the UK-US “Special Relationship” and the future of Ukraine, the outcome of these talks will be closely watched.

On economic policy, Trump’s record is also contentious, with 41% of UK voters believing his trade deals and tariffs have had a negative impact on Britain’s economy. While Canada and Mexico have already faced threats of 25% tariffs on all imports, the UK has so far avoided direct economic repercussions, though this may still change. Meanwhile, views on his approach to international relations are evenly split, with 36% considering his foreign policy effective and an equal number deeming it ineffective. This suggests that while many see Trump as a disruptive force on the world stage, there is also recognition of his influence, even among those who disapprove of his leadership.

Support for Trump’s Immigration Policies

One of the most significant findings is that 42% of UK voters agree with Trump’s immigration policies, despite his personal unpopularity, highlighting a growing appetite for stricter immigration measures in the UK. Support is particularly strong among Conservative voters, with 55% backing his stance, while an overwhelming 78% of Reform UK voters are in favour. Every age group apart from those aged 55-64 shows a level of support for his immigration policies and younger voters appear to favour him more. These results come off the back of Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, which included a series of executive orders leading to mass deportations, suggesting that calls for tighter immigration controls could become a key issue in future UK elections, particularly among Conservative and Reform UK supporters.

Beyond immigration, there is also substantial backing for Trump’s broader political approach. Surprisingly, 42% of UK voters support the idea of a British leader adopting Trump’s policies, while 34% oppose it, highlighting a strong appetite for a populist, nationalist and protectionist agenda in Britain. Reform UK voters are the most enthusiastic, with 78% strongly supporting such a shift, followed by Conservatives at 55%. Most surprisingly, Labour voters also support Trump’s approach (42%) which may suggest frustration with Keir Starmer’s more reserved style. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats and Green voters oppose it. This signals a growing divide in UK politics, where a right-wing populist agenda could gain traction but only if detached from Trump’s personal brand.

Trump’s Leadership Style: Strength or Liability?

Despite widespread opposition to Trump personally, a significant portion of UK voters admire his leadership style. When asked whether they would like a UK Prime Minister with a similar approach, 41% said yes and 45% found the idea of a leader as direct and forceful as Trump appealing. However, the majority (51%) were against Trump’s leadership approach and 51% opposed adopting his communication style, suggesting that while Britons appreciate strong leadership, they are wary of Trump’s aggressive and confrontational rhetoric. This indicates that UK voters value assertiveness but may prefer a leader who is less divisive in their public approach.

Trump’s use of social media was a defining aspect of his presidency, especially his use of Twitter but the UK public is largely resistant to a British leader adopting his online approach. While 40% support the idea, 51% are against it, with older voters (45+) being the most opposed. Surprisingly, younger voters are most in favour of this online approach. Support is highest among Reform UK voters at 62% and lowest among Liberal Democrat and Labour voters. This suggests that while Britons want strong leadership, they may not want the level of political spectacle and controversy that Trump generated through social media. A leader who is direct and unafraid to challenge the establishment may appeal to a significant section of voters but they are likely to be far more successful if they avoid Trump’s more polarising tendencies.

Trumpism Without Trump?

The data reveals that Trumpism as a political ideology has notable support in the UK, particularly among younger voters and those aligned with Reform UK or the right-wing of the Conservative Party. However, Trump as an individual remains deeply unpopular, particularly among women, older voters and supporters of progressive parties.

This presents an opportunity for UK politicians seeking to harness populist energy, a leader who embraces Trump-like policies without his personal baggage could have significant electoral appeal. As the UK moves towards its next general election, this balance between policy and personality will likely shape the future of the right-wing political landscape.

Download the data tables for this poll.