A new poll reveals that politicians are now the least trusted profession in Britain, with fewer people trusting them than used car salesmen. The survey, carried out for the Adam Smith Institute, found that 38% of Britons named politicians as the most untrustworthy of 10 common professions, far ahead of social media influencers on 17% and used car salesmen on just 11%.
Public faith in Westminster collapses
The poll lays bare the collapse in public faith in Westminster. Fewer than a quarter of people trust the Government to stop the small boats, and more people trust ChatGPT than Parliament or the Civil Service. Just 1% of Britons would pick politics as a career for a family member, the lowest of any option.
Madsen Pirie, president of the Adam Smith Institute, said: "After their recent behaviour, it comes as no surprise that politicians are not seen as trustworthy. People want probity to accompany power, and they are not getting it."
Trust in government performance
The poll also delivers a verdict on Westminster's ability to get things done. Just 23% trust the Government to stop small boat crossings, while 54% do not. The same proportion, 23%, trust ministers to cut taxes for their families. With Chancellor John Healey's Budget resting on growth, fewer than a third of Britons, 31%, trust the Government to deliver it. Across eight key policy goals, average trust in the Government stands at 28%.
Parliament was the least trusted of all major institutions, rated below social media firms and AI chatbots. However, the Prime Minister fared better personally, with 49% finding Andy Burnham trustworthy, just behind Jeremy Clarkson on 52%.
Trust in individuals and foreign leaders
Asked which career they would wish on someone they disliked, 23% chose politician, the most popular answer. Doctors, RNLI lifeboat crews and police officers were rated the most trustworthy professions.
Reform UK's Robert Jenrick was rated the least trustworthy Treasury spokesman of any major party, with 44% finding him untrustworthy against 25% who trust him. Britons were also wary of foreign leaders, with 68% saying Donald Trump is untrustworthy and 71% saying the same of Vladimir Putin.
The online survey of 1,400 adults across Great Britain was carried out by Adam Smith Insights on October 28 and 29.
