How important are a person's political views when comes to relationships?

[Cybercubed]

I was looking at a Yougov poll with regards to Americans and how much a persons political views mattered to them when dating. It found around half of Americans would be uncomfortable dating someone from the opposite side of the political divide, Democrats were more likely to be uncomfortable (53%) dating a Republican than vice versa. That number was even higher among for Democrats when asked about dating a Trump supporter (71%). Only around 9% of all total marriages in the US are between a Republican and a Democrat. Very low.

today.yougov.com/topics/relationships/articles-reports/2019/10/24/politics-beliefs-friends-partners-poll-survey

I don't think the UK's quite as divided as the US is, but I think we're increasingly heading in that direction. I live in Northern Ireland and used to naively think NI was unique in this but clearly not.

How much does a persons political views matter to you when it comes to relationships? Could you date someone who votes UKIP or is a avid brexiteer, or someone who is a Corbyn supporter etc?

i could never date a supporter of the sexist labour party its a disgrace they have never elected a female leader!

As long as they weren't a labour supporter I'd be happy to be open to their views and it wouldn't put me off.

@ShinyGreenElephant

I couldn't date a tory or a ukip type person, or a brecht supporter - its more to do with morals and values than politics for me. My husband wasn't a huge fan of Corbyn - he didn't buy into the media nonsense about him but he definitely isn't as much of a fan as me. I think that's probably the limit of how much political difference I could deal with personally.

@ShinyGreenElephant, I know it was an autocorrect but I love the idea that you refuse to date a brecht supporter. Down with modernist theatre! I'm not being a pedant--this has cheered me immensely during quite a grey day.

It's essential to me. DH and I are pretty much on the same page politically and I couldn't have it any other way.

Years ago I distanced myself from a friend because I found her political views unpleasant.

Ooh love a good difference of opinions in this house. I agree with the previous posters though - I would obviously feel differently if there was any racism/sexism/homophobia.
Does remind me of the time I went for a date with a chap who proudly paid on his Labour credit card. He proceeded to tell me how he had cried when labour hadn't been voted in in 2015. We didn't have a second date. (Nothing against labour, he was a terrible kisser 😂).

I wouldn't care about political party, I would care about certain issues. I couldn't consider a relationship with someone who was anti abortion or pro war.

I find the whole couldn’t date a Tory or leftie very sad. It’s a sign of the division in political debate and means that people just reinforce their prejudices by staying in their tribe.

To never be able to question or understand your own politics never mind another persons is unhealthy. It’s close mindedness of the highest order. And arrogant, how do you know you are not the one in the wrong.

'I do agree that I would struggle with a Trump supporter.'

Now that I agree with you on. I find it hard to believe that anyone with any intelligent could be a supporter of Trump, especially if they buy into the idea of voter fraud.

I also find it difficult to get on with people who support someone fully and without reservations. I have no issues with a Boris or Corbyn supporter who can say ‘I agree with this particular political aim but don’t agree with how it’s being approached’ or ‘I don’t agree with this’
I can even respect Trump supporters if they can criticise him too.
It’s the 100% support of someone with no criticism whatsoever that I find difficult. This does seem to be prevalent these days.

@LemonTT - it's perfectly possible to have exchange of opinions and challenging debates on political issues with friends and colleagues and strangers online. I just don't want to go to bed with someone whose attitude to the poor is so at odds with my own.

I love the idea that you refuse to date a brecht supporter. Down with modernist theatre!
@Nancydrawn LOL!

It would be a deal breaker for me, I couldn't be with a Tory but it would probably never have got near the stage of being in a relationship. Someone with far right views I wouldn't have got past the first conversation. I think I am a bit further to the Left than my husband, though.

I think it depends how opinionated they are. Me and my partner differ when it comes to voting and have different opinions on certain things but 9/10 we agree. Neither of us are super opinionated about our political stance but we know we’re different. We’ve both accepted what’s going on the in world and have chats about it but it’s not a deal breaker. If you’ve got
A hardcore Boris supporter with a hardcore Corbyn supporter I can see where it would be difficult to be together

@Nancydrawn