More than 80% of voters think politicians put themselves ahead of the needs of the country and that MPs should be drug tested, according to a new WeThink poll.

Pollsters at WeThink quizzed Brits on a range of issues relating to trust in the movers and shakers in Westminster whose decisions affect the lives of everyone in the country. 

And it’s not good... 

An overwhelming 82% said politicians put themselves ahead of the needs of the country, with only 18% believing they put the country first. 

WeThink also found that 52% of Brits would describe the current Conservative government as “immoral”, with only 24% believing them to be “moral”. A quarter (25%) said they didn’t know. 

The Conservatives also topped the charts on 43% when it came to the question of which political party did people most associate with sleaze. Labour lagged far behind in second on 15%, followed by the SNP (7%), the LibDems (3%) and the Green Party (2%).

Pollsters also asked voters to use one word to describe UK politicians ... here’s what they said: 

And with corruption, dishonesty, greed and selfishness taking centre stage, we asked if people would support or oppose all MPs being subjected to random drug tests. Here’s what you said: 

• 82% support
• 9% oppose
• 9% don’t know 

ON PLANNED SMOKING BAN 

The Government plans to phase out smoking by raising the legal age limit every year (this would mean that someone aged 14 today would never legally be able to buy tobacco products). Do Brits support or oppose it? 

• 62% support
• 20% oppose
• 18% neither 

ON POST-BREXIT PHARMACEUTICAL SHORTAGES 

Reports this week suggested drug shortages are now more common in Britain since Brexit. We asked Brits if they’ve experienced any shortages of prescription medication in the last six months? 

• 23% yes
• 57% no
• 20% haven’t required a prescription

ON VOTER INTENTION 

Labour’s lead dropped by three to 17 this week while Rishi Sunak’s net approval rating dropped another point to –29.

ON BREXIT

BREXIT (All Respondents)

This week’s poll was conducted on 18th-19th April 2024, questioned 1,266 people and is weighted to a national representative population.

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