The big difference between how the public sees Theresa May and David Cameron
Just five per cent think the new Prime Minister is 'charismatic', compared to 36 per cent for Mr Cameron a week after he took office in 2010
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May is seen as less of a natural leader than David Cameron was at the same time in his premiership, a new poll has revealed.
One week into Ms May’s tenure as Prime Minister, YouGov surveyed people with the same questions they asked the public about Mr Cameron when he was appointed Prime Minister in 2010.
The pollsters found there were some glaring differences in the public perception of Ms May and her predecessor early into their jobs, although the two politicians also scored similarly in several key areas.
Just 13 per cent of those polled thought of Ms May, a former Home Secretary, as a natural leader, compared to 28 per cent for Mr Cameron.
Also striking was the low number, just five per cent, of people who thought Ms May was charismatic, compared to 36 per cent who viewed Mr Cameron in this way in 2010.
Ms May has tried to turn this impression into an advantage, saying she is not a “showy politician” and presenting herself as someone who doesn’t rely on rhetoric but instead gets the job done.
But she was also seen as less honest by the electorate. Just 18 per cent of people thought they could trust her, while 23 per cent thought Mr Cameron was honest six years ago.
Only 16 per cent of people viewed Ms May as ‘in touch’, compared to Mr Cameron, who scored two percentage points higher.
However, Ms May scored more highly in other, arguably more important, areas. Thirty-six per cent of the public saw her as strong, while just 30 per cent of people viewed Mr Cameron in the same light in 2010.
Twenty-nine per cent said they thought Ms May would stick to her beliefs, while 24 per cent thought the same of Mr Cameron.
Some 35 per cent of people viewed Ms May as decisive, compared to 32 per cent for Mr Cameron six years ago.
Seventeen per cent of people thought she would be good in a crisis, compared to just 13 per cent of people who perceived Mr Cameron in the same way.
While Mr Cameron had never held a senior government position before he became Prime Minister, Ms May was a long-serving Home Secretary and also chaired the government emergency Cobra meetings.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments