Well here’s a poll that will cheer up Gordon Brown. A survey of 19,751 people in 20 nations by WorldPublicOpinion.org has found that Mr Brown is the most popular leader in the world (well, almost).

While it is not a resounding vote of confidence, Mr Brown has more positive ratings from countries than any other state leader. Six countries have “a lot” or “some” confidence that he would “do the right thing”. Britons may have had enough of the prime minister, but the good folk of Azerbaijan are clearly full of confidence in his abilities.

The only world leader to emerge with a higher score is Ban Ki Moon, the UN secretary general.
In case you don’t have time can take a look at the full poll results, I’ve picked out some highlights from the report.

- Americans rate Mr Brown more highly than their own president

- But the British have more confidence in both Angela Merkel and Mr Ki Moon

- Support for Mr Brown in Azerbaijan is particularly high, running at 43 per cent. Answers on a postcard please.

- But this is not a touch on Nigeria, where Mr Brown’s eye-watering rating of 59 per cent puts him in a popularity contest with egusi soup and pounded yams (which I am reliably told is the Nigerian equivalent of warm apple pie)

- The poll suggests Mr Brown should stay away from the Middle East, where most citizens place him behind Vladimir Putin, Hu Jintao and Mahmoud Ahmadenejad

- The conclusion drawn by Newsweek from the survey is that strongmen are coming out on top. Yes, that includes Mr Brown.

June 17, 2008 5:59pm in Gordon Brown | Comment