A new poll reveals that half of the British public believes Nigel Farage is “personally responsible” for the recent wave of riots that swept across the UK.
The survey, conducted by Savanta between August 9 and 11, polled 2,237 participants and found that 51 percent of British voters hold the Reform UK leader accountable for the violent unrest, which resulted in over 1,000 arrests and numerous charges.
Nigel Farage, a prominent right-wing politician, has faced significant backlash following a controversial video he posted shortly after the tragic stabbing of three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
Farage accused the police of withholding information from the public and reiterated misinformation claiming that the suspect in the killings had been under surveillance by security services.
He condemned the violence occurring on Britain’s streets but simultaneously stoked further controversy by asserting that there is a widespread perception of “two-tier policing” in the country, which he argued is fueling a “sense of injustice” among the public.
On August 5, Farage issued a statement expressing his horror at the levels of violence witnessed in the days following the Southport incident.
“I have been totally appalled by the levels of violence seen in the last couple of days. The levels of intimidation and threat to life have no place in a functioning democracy,” Farage stated.
He added that the injury of numerous police officers during attempts to maintain order was “shocking” and even suggested that the military might be needed if the situation deteriorated further.
Farage also defended his earlier comments by pointing to claims made by controversial influencer Andrew Tate. He insisted that the widespread disorder following the Southport attack was exacerbated because “we weren’t told the truth.”
The Savanta poll also placed Farage in a concerning position, just behind Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the far-right English Defence League, who was blamed by 54 percent of respondents for the riots.
Notably, the billionaire owner of X, Elon Musk, was also mentioned, with 44 percent of those surveyed attributing some responsibility to him.
Public Divides on Riot Accountability and Solutions
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was blamed by 40 percent of respondents.
While individual figures like Farage, Robinson, and Musk were singled out, the poll also revealed a broader consensus on the factors contributing to the unrest.
A striking 82 percent of adults surveyed said that those who participated in the riots bear the most responsibility for the chaos.
Additionally, over 70 percent blamed far-right organizations, and 73 percent pointed fingers at social media companies for playing a role in the escalation of violence.
The poll also shed light on public sentiment regarding the underlying causes of the riots. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of respondents attributed the unrest to the UK’s migration policy, while 59 percent identified the Southport killings as a key trigger.
To prevent future incidents, 37 percent of those surveyed advocated for swift and severe legal consequences for violent protesters. Meanwhile, 30 percent suggested that addressing public concerns about migration is crucial to preventing further unrest.
Interestingly, only 10 percent of respondents believed that tackling social inequality would prevent another outbreak of violence, indicating a divide in public opinion on how best to address the root causes of such unrest.
Chris Hopkins, Savanta’s political research director, commented on the findings, noting that “Contrary to online talking points, the country is broadly more likely to say Keir Starmer did well in managing the situation than not.”
“Our research probably makes grimmer reading for Nigel Farage, who is only behind former EDL leader Tommy Robinson in being seen as ‘responsible’ for the violent protests.
“The public thinks that swift justice for violent protesters is the best way to stop them happening again – a course of action being followed by the government. The next thing they think needs to happen is public concerns about immigration being addressed.”
Chris Hopkins
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these riots, the poll results highlight a complex web of accountability and the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to prevent further unrest.
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