Following David Cameron’s announcement last week that he would support criminal penalties against bankers who behave irresponsibly, a YouGov survey has revealed 55% of the public agreed that penalties needed to be stricter.
The survey also revealed 11% believe the country is less protected from a future financial crisis than it was in 2008, and 38% believe protection is about the same. A total 37% believe protection is a little stronger than it was.
The current government fared better than its predecessors, as 74% stated Labour’s regulation of the banking sector was too soft.
When asked about incoming governor of the Bank of England, 31% stated it was unacceptable that a Canadian has been appointed to the top job. Almost half, 48%, were in agreement with his appointment.
One participant said: "Firstly, banking and financial regulations have to be international. The world we are in today operates internationally and so fast that international regulations have just not kept up.
"Secondly, if you want to apportion blame it has to lie with the ‘western international’ idea that banking deregulation was a ‘good thing’ as promulgated by new-right economists; adopted by the UK Thatcher and US Regan administrations in the 80’s, then followed without much change in the UK by Tory, New Labour, and the Coalition, or in the US by Bush various, Clinton and Obama governments."
Earlier in the week we reported 86% of the public believe it will take at least five years to regain trust in the banks.
