Press Releases

Billie Coulson 18/11/2024 Billie Coulson 18/11/2024

Most Brits agree Europe more important than the US following election of Donald Trump

New polling from The Good Growth Foundation has found that Brits consistently rank Europe as more important to the UK than the US, following the election of Donald Trump as president.

New polling from The Good Growth Foundation, a new think-tank that campaigns for a fairer economy, has found that Brits consistently rank Europe as more important to the UK than the US, following the election of Donald Trump as president. The comparison is particularly stark on growth and the economy, with 58% agreeing that Europe is more important in terms of trade and 56% believing Europe is more important economically. In contrast only 27% view the US as more important in terms of trade and 29% think it is more important economically.

The findings come after the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, asserted that the UK must “rebuild relations” with the EU. During his Mansion House speech, Carney stressed that Brexit has impacted trade and “weighed” on the economy. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, also highlighted the need for the UK to “reset our relationship” with the EU.

The results indicate that only Reform voters rank the US as more important to the UK than Europe in categories including trade, economics, foreign policy, politics and diplomacy. Across the political spectrum, all other parties’ voters see Europe as more important - including Conservatives.

Where the public is more divided is on how the UK’s relationship with the US should change, following the recent election of Donald Trump as president. Many want to see a closer relationship with America in terms of economy, trade, diplomacy, and foreign policy. However, the country is roughly divided into thirds on whether the relationship should become closer, more distant or remain the same. Furthermore, 39% think the UK should have a more distant relationship with the US politically, compared to 30% who think the UK should have a closer relationship and 22% who think the relationship should remain the same. Concerns regarding potential Trump tariffs appear to be reaching the public, with 43% saying the UK should forge a closer trading relationship with the US, compared to 26% believing the country should be more distant. Women are also more likely than men to believe the UK should distance itself from the US following the election of Trump and less likely to believe the relationship between the countries should become closer.

There has been discussion of how the UK should align in the event of a potential trade war between the US and EU. Following the election of Trump, 48% of Brits agree that the country should focus more on its relationship with the EU; only 18% believe we should focus on our relationship with the US. Yet, most Brits (57%) believe that it is in the UK’s best interests for our Government to be close with the US Government and 49% believe the Labour Government should set their own politics aside to pursue a strong working relationship with the Trump administration.

Praful Nargund, The Director of The Good Growth Foundation, said: “Our research shows that politicians of all stripes should remember post-Brexit Britain is not anti-Europe.The public recognises the importance of maintaining a solid relationship with the US, but dislikes Donald Trump and can see the UK’s future is dependent on our relationship with Europe. Whether it be on trade, politics, economics or diplomacy - Europe is largely recognised as Britain’s most important ally.”

Notes to Editors

Polling Data

Polling was gathered by JL Partners.

Fieldwork: 13th to 14th November 2024

Sample size: 2,024 GB Adults

Sampling mode: Online panel sample

Quotas and weights: Quota-ed and weighted to be representative of Great Britain on age, gender, region, education, 2024 general election vote, ethnicity and political attention.

About the Good Growth Foundation

The Good Growth Foundation (GGF) is a think tank that campaigns for a fairer economy, so growth can work for good. Following the UK’s lost decade of growth, we campaign and conduct research to advocate for economic growth that will reduce inequality and open access to opportunity for people of all backgrounds.

GGF was founded by Praful Nargund, who ran as the Labour parliamentary candidate in Islington North in the 2024 General Election and sat on Labour’s Council of Skills Advisors, where he shaped education policy. The chair of our Advisory Board, Tim Allan, is a former Downing Street advisor to Tony Blair and the founder of Portland Communications.

Contact

GGF’s press office can be reached via email at contact@goodgrowthfoundation.co.uk.

Half of UK Agrees Labour Must Make ‘Difficult Decisions’ on Public Finances

According to new polling, half of the British public agrees with the Labour Government that “difficult decisions” must be taken to control public spending - including means-testing the winter fuel allowance.

According to new polling, half of the British public agrees with the Labour Government that “difficult decisions” must be taken to control public spending - including means-testing the winter fuel allowance. The polling, conducted for the Good Growth Foundation, has found that 50% of the public think that the Government needs to take tough decisions to control public spending, rising to 67% of Labour voters.

The Good Growth Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for a fairer economy, found only 25% disagree with the Government’s assessment that it must make difficult decisions. A significant majority of the public, 67%, believe the current state of the country’s finances is either “somewhat bad” or “very bad”, and voters largely blame the previous Conservative Government. When asked who they blame most for the current state of public finances, 44% of voters named the Conservatives, increasing to 66% of Labour voters in the 2024 General Election. Overall, 31% blame Labour.

The findings indicate that the public may be more understanding of Labour’s approach to public finances than previously thought. Increasing borrowing to invest in infrastructure such as new hospitals, roads and rail networks is also popular, with 48% of the population in support.

Ahead of the Budget, the public is open to the idea of increasing taxes on businesses. Over a third support increasing taxes on businesses, even if it would hurt growth, while 30% oppose the idea and 29% are in the middle. Similarly, the case still needs to be made to convince people that borrowing to invest in green energy is worth it to the public purse. Just over a third believe the Government should borrow to invest in green energy, while just under a third disagrees and 27% neither agrees or disagrees.

The Director of The Good Growth Foundation, Praful Nargund, said: “Despite the difficult start to Government, our research indicates that voters largely remain signed up to Labour’s approach to managing the public finances. Their message is clearly breaking through, particularly with Labour voters. Across the board people are supportive or open minded to giving the Government the space needed to make difficult decisions.

“There is particularly strong support for borrowing to invest in infrastructure, but the public remains to be convinced on borrowing to invest in clean energy. Nevertheless, the majority of the public is supportive or open-minded to the idea.”