Recent polling reveals that a majority of British voters believe the UK should take a firmer stance against US President Donald Trump, even as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares for a Washington visit. A YouGov poll found that 50% of voters think it is in the UK's interest to stand up to Trump and criticise his actions, compared to 30% who favour building a positive relationship without criticism.
Trump remains deeply unpopular in Britain, with a More in Common poll showing 59% holding a negative view and only 24% positive—lower than any UK politician. A separate study by the Policy Institute at King's College London found that 53% of voters now believe Britain should prioritise Europe over the US if needed, a reversal from 1967 when 53% favoured America.
Starmer faces a delicate balancing act: maintaining ties with the US while supporting Ukraine and pursuing closer EU relations. His approval ratings have fallen since the election, and taking a tougher line on Trump could win domestic support. However, the PM is cautious about upsetting the US president due to potential economic repercussions from threatened tariffs and the need for US security guarantees in Ukraine.
Other UK party leaders also navigate the Trump issue carefully. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has aligned herself with Trump but faced difficulty after Trump called Ukrainian President Zelenskyy a dictator. Reform UK's Nigel Farage benefits from strong support among his base for his pro-Trump stance, but risks alienating broader voters. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has most openly criticised Trump, appealing to voters across parties who want a tougher approach.
