Half of Britons say there are no circumstances under which they would fight for their country, according to a new poll, reports BritPanorama.
Just one in three (36 per cent) said they would take up arms and go to war for Britain, while 48 per cent indicated they would not, and the remainder were unsure. This was revealed in data from Ipsos, coming just days after NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, asserted that the alliance was “ready to fight tonight” if attacked, amid warnings from European officials about the possibility of increased Russian covert actions or limited military incursions.
The UK’s National Security Strategy, released last year, also highlighted the need to prepare for potential wartime scenarios on home soil. In the context of escalating tensions, Russian activities against the West have intensified, including an arson attack on an Estonian defense company and a foiled attempt to target a Ukrainian aircraft at a German airport.
The poll further indicated that 51 per cent of respondents believe the government should increase defense spending, even at the cost of higher taxes or cuts to public services, while only 12 per cent advocate for reduced military budgets. Caroline Paskell, research director at Ipsos, noted, “Our latest polling underscores the continued public recognition of the demands facing Britain’s Armed Forces, with half of Britons backing an increase in defense spending despite wider economic pressures.”
However, the public sentiment is delicate when confronted with the trade-offs of funding military expansion. Paskell highlighted a desire for military investment that promises broader economic benefits, such as job creation, yet indicated growing resistance when funding methods involve personal taxation or service cuts.
The analysis identifies a critical challenge for the government: reconciling the need for enhanced security investment with commitments to public services and overall economic growth. The poll also revealed that 50 per cent of participants advocate for a strengthened defense relationship with the EU.
Significantly, 44 per cent of those surveyed opposed increased defense spending if it would raise their personal taxes or reduce overall public spending. Additionally, 37 per cent were against the idea of increased government borrowing to fund such spending.
During discussions over defense policy, Secretary of State for Defence Wes Streeting emphasized the necessity for UK defense spending to align with the risks posed by potential Russian aggression against NATO. Earlier this year, former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned, arguing for a commitment to raise defense spending to 3 per cent of the national income by 2030, up from the current 2.6 per cent.
Mr. Streeting stated that the forthcoming budget aims to address a £4.7 billion funding gap but added that a plan to raise spending to 3.5 per cent of national income by 2035 would only be presented in next year’s Spending Review.
The Ipsos poll was conducted between September 29 and October 1, surveying 1,090 adults across the UK.
