A snap poll of more than 6,500 people has found that Britons are split over the easing up of coronavirus lockdown measures announced by Boris Johnson.
Although 44% support the move, about as many are opposed (43%). The remaining 13% are unsure, according to the YouGov/Good Morning Britain survey.
The poll also showed that most Britons (91%) say the previous slogan “Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save lives” made it clear what they were supposed to do.
However, just 30% think they know what the new mantra “Stay alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives” means.
The new slogan has received ridicule for its lack of clarity, with critics pointing out that it is not clear what it is asking people to do, in stark contrast to the previous one.
Chris Curtis, political research manager at YouGov, said: “While the public have so far been overwhelmingly behind the Government and its approach to tackling coronavirus, we might now start to see that consensus fracturing.
"Previous polling has highlighted Brits’ concerns about the lockdown ending too quickly and this new research reinforces this view with almost half saying the announced relaxing of the rules goes too far.
"What’s more, the much-derided new British Government slogan, which YouGov’s snap poll shows many are struggling to understand, alongside the competing advice emanating from each part of the Union, has the potential to sow more confusion in the coming days."
According to the survey, six in 10 Conservative voters support the changes to the lockdown, a much higher figure than the 37% of Lib Dems and 32% of Labour voters.
Age is another key factor in support – while 39-40% of adults under the age of 50 support the move, this increases to 47% among 50-64 year olds, and 53% of those aged 65 and above.
Among the population as a whole, 46% of Britons believe the changes go too far in relaxing the rules, compared to around a third (35%) who say the balance is about right. Only 10% say the move doesn’t go far enough in removing restrictions.
