UK

Poll finds majority of Britons support banning burka

A new poll suggests that a majority of British people want to ban the burka PICTURE: Joe Giddens/PA
A new poll suggests that a majority of British people want to ban the burka PICTURE: Joe Giddens/PA A new poll suggests that a majority of British people want to ban the burka PICTURE: Joe Giddens/PA

A MAJORITY of British people want to ban the burka, according to a new poll.

The wearing of Islamic full-body clothing has emerged as a major point of contention this summer, after a number of French towns sought to ban the wearing of burkinis, only for a court to rule that doing so was illegal.

Meanwhile, the wearing of full-face veils has been front and centre in the Ukip leadership race after one of the candidates, Lisa Duffy, called for them to be banned in public places.

A new YouGov survey suggests such a policy would have the backing of the British public.

Some 57 per cent of people said they would support outlawing the wearing of the burka, while 25 per cent said they would oppose such a ban.

Support for a ban was found to be greatest among the over-65s, with 78 per cent backing prohibition and 12 per cent against a ban.

Opposition was strongest among 18-24 year olds, with 40 per cent against a ban and 34 per cent in favour.

The research also found that women are about as likely to support a ban as men.

Meanwhile, 84 per cent of people who voted Ukip in 2015 said they would support a ban compared with 66 per cent of Tory voters, 48 per cent of Labour voters and 42 per cent of Lib Dem voters.

On the specific issue of the burkini, 46 per cent of people said they would support a ban compared with 30 per cent who said they would oppose one.