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Wednesday 16 March 2016 9:46 am

Budget 2016: How do people describe chancellor George Osborne?

By: James Nickerson

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Chancellor George Osborne is set to give his Budget today, and one that will no doubt be as contentious as ever.

But while his Budget and economic plan will be hailed by some as keeping the country on the right track, and slammed by others as being deeply damaging, the man himself appears to be just as divisive.

Read more: What do free marketeers want from chancellor George Osborne?

Looking at data at market research firm YouGov, one can see just how just controversial he is.

Every time a member of YouGov adds an opinion about something, they are invited to select the adjectives they would use to describe it. In this case, the "something" is Osborne.

Those who dislike Osborne describe him first and foremost as arrogant and smug. But those with a negative perception of him also think he is privileged and out of touch. Lastly, those who don't like him believe him to be untrustworthy. 

Read more: Institute of Fiscal Studies' Paul Johnson says budget cuts may not materialise

But those who like the chancellor describe him as intelligent and clever, followed by well educated. He's then, by those who think favourably of him, thought to be conservative and articulate.

What's also apparently from the data is there are far more people – who have given their opinion, at least – who describe Osborne negatively than positively. 

Let's see if his Budget today does anything to fix that…[custom id="135"]

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