by Oliver JJ Lane
Britons who say they are concerned about defence has doubled in a month, polling finds, although immigration and immigrants retains the top spot.
More Britons now say defence is one of the top issues facing the country than they did even during the Cold War, a survey reveals. Research by pollster IPSOS states the number of people who say defence is among “the important issues facing Britain today” doubled from December’s 12 per cent to 24 per cent in January.
British newspaper of record The Times which reported the research states the uptick is “one of the sharpest surges in unease about global politics and the prospect of war in recent years”, and that the research was undertaken shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s decapitation raid in Venezuela.
While the surge in concern is pronounced, it is not evenly distributed among Britons, with left-wingers polled as considerably more worried about defence than conservatives, an inversion of perceived norms. Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Green Party voters were most likely to name defence as a top worry at around 40 per cent, while Conservative Party supporters were more relaxed at 25 per cent.
Supporters of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK were least likely to say defence and foreign affairs were one of the most important problems facing Britain right now, with just 12 per cent saying so. This may be a function of the propensity of Reform voters to believe immigration and immigrants is the most important issue facing Britain. Indeed, despite defence’s jump to double its numbers, nationwide immigration and immigrants is the top concern for all voters at 41 per cent, slightly down from 46 per cent in December.
Defence worries are also not equal among other demographics, with The Times stating the research shows the older cohorts are more likely to cite it as a major issue, while just six per cent of 18-24 year olds said so.