Brexiteers BoJo and Farage top polls for Most Liked Politician, Public Figure

Boris Johnson
Dan Kitwood/Getty
Liam Deacon

After backing the Brexit campaign and stepping down from the cabinet in protest of Theresa May’s “soft” exit plan, Boris Johnson has emerged as the UK’s most popular politician, according to new polling.

Former UKIP leader and MEP Nigel Farage, meanwhile, is more popular than the former Tory Prime Minister David Cameron, and the most popular “other” public figure not associated with one of the two major parties.

Mr Farage, who enjoyed broad recognition, was also more popular than Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

According to the YouGov research, Mr Johnson tops out a list of main party politicians by popularity, with a positive rating of 32 per cent and approval ratings three points ahead of Mrs May.

Those with the highest recognition ratings were Mr Johnson, the Prime Minister, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn coming in at 97 per cent, 100 per cent, and 98 per cent respectively.

David Cameron is also very well known – having served two terms as Prime Minister – but comes in at a dismal 23rd on the popularity list, with just 18 per cent approval.

Of the table of all 229 political figures, only 40 are more liked than disliked, with an overall positive score, and only four are recognised by more than 50 per cent of the population.

Other popular Tories besides Johnson who could potentially succeed May include former Brexit minister David Davis and Home Secretary Sajid Javid coming in at 18th and 33rd respectively.

Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg was the sixth most liked Tory after former party leaders William Hague and John Major and leader of the party in Scotland Ruth Davidson.

However, more people have heard of the pro-Brexit figure (72 per cent) compared to anti-Brexit Davidson (62 per cent).

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