Donald Trump risks a frosty reception from millions of women on his state visit to Britain this summer, a new poll reveals today.
The Ipsos MORI survey for the Standard showed:
-
Nearly six out of 10 women are against him delivering a speech in Parliament, while just over half of men think he should make it.
-
Nearly half of women are opposed to the state visit, compared with just over a third of men.
-
A majority of women think he should not be invited to play golf on the Queen’s course at Balmoral.
-
More women believe Theresa May should focus on building the strongest relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, rather than Mr Trump.
The poll found that, among both sexes, 53 per cent backed Mr Trump’s state visit, which is expected to take place in June. However, the findings reveal a gender gap about Mr Trump, who sparked outrage when footage emerged of him making lewd remarks about women and how you could “grab them by the pussy”.
Forty-eight per cent of women believe he should not have been invited for a state visit, but six out of 10 men back the trip, with 36 per cent opposed.
Fifty-nine per cent of women oppose him giving an address in Parliament, compared to 45 per cent of men, giving an overall opposition of 52 per cent.
The finding suggests Speaker John Bercow was in line with public opinion when he said he was against Mr Trump giving a speech in Westminster Hall.
Asked if Mr Trump should visit a London mosque or Muslim community group, 53 per cent of women said no and 38 per cent said yes. Half of men said he should, while 41 per cent were against the idea.
Thousands of protesters march to Downing Street in Trump rally
Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: “Donald Trump’s personal popularity may be low, but that doesn’t stop most Britons supporting the invitation to the US president to come for a state visit. There is, though, a clear gender divide, with women consistently being much less positive about him then men.”
Far more women and men think Europe is most important to Britain, 47 per cent in total, compared to America on 29 per cent and the Commonwealth 19 per cent.
Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,044 adults between February 10 and 14. Data are weighted.
