A recent BMG poll, conducted on behalf of the Independent, has found that a clear majority of voters oppose the UK government allowing UK companies to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, currently the UK’s largest defence customer.

The poll, conducted between 11 and 14 July, asked respondents whether they think it is acceptable for the UK Government to allow UK companies to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, while the middle Eastern state is engaged in Yemen’s civil war. 58% said that permitting arms licenses is unacceptable, with less than one in five (18%) stating that the practice is acceptable. Just under one-quarter of respondents were unsure (24%).

Younger voters between the ages of 18 and 34 are more likely to find the practice unacceptable (62%), though a majority of over 55s are still against the licensing of arms sales to the Saudis (53%).

Responses vary more when in respect to respondents’ political affiliations. For example, Labour and Liberal Democrat supporters – 71% and 77% respectively – oppose the UK government licensing arms to the Saudis. By contrast, Conservative supporters are more divided, with 38% for, and 40% against.

Readers can interrogate the data themselves by toggling with the menu below.

An article based on these polling results, released by the Independent, can be found here.

Methodology, fieldwork dates, and a full breakdown of these results can be found here.

For a more detailed breakdown of results from this poll, or any other results from our polling series, please get in touch by email or phone.

polling@bmgresearch.co.uk

@BMGResearch

0121 333 6006

Robert Struthers – Graduate Research Executive