UK tells Trump to get lost on NATO and demands BBC overhaul

The single most striking result of the day was the country’s blunt refusal to walk away from its closest alliance. On the question Should the UK suspend its NATO membership whilst Donald Trump is President? voters said no by nine to one, with the leading argument a simple reminder to pay your dues. A rebuke to the American president became an overwhelming vote to keep the alliance intact.

The verdicts

On health the UK split almost down the middle but ultimately said yes to Should the UK adopt a mixed public-private healthcare system like most developed countries? The winning mood seemed to be that Britain already runs a mixed model in all but name; the real argument was how much further to go.

Voters were far clearer on crime. Does the UK need mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders of any crime? passed by nearly four to one, with the bluntest voices demanding not just minimums but harsher escalation for those who keep reoffending.

Two separate questions on identity and trust produced similarly decisive results. The country said yes to Should fingerprint biometrics be used at UK driving tests to stop impersonation fraud? despite warnings that ID is already required, and delivered a near three-to-one no to Can the BBC be trusted? Many described the corporation as beyond repair.

On church leadership, Should the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, resign over handing an award to Muslim cleric who praised Bin Laden? passed comfortably. An award withdrawn within days did not close the case; for most this was the final straw.

Fear of “us-versus-them” politics carried a near three-to-one yes for Has inflammatory political language by UK politicians and parties caused spikes in political violence? The sharper divide was whether such language starts the violence or simply feeds grievances already burning.

Finally the country said no by roughly three to one to Is union activism sufficient experience to become a Bank of England director? treating it as a poor substitute for financial expertise, though a minority insisted a worker’s voice inside the Bank still matters.

Voting continues today.

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