Opinion poll ‘shows how far-right is telling fairy tales about UK’
A large opinion poll has shown how the far-right is telling “fairy tales” about the UK, its organisers say.
The survey of 45,000 people shatters the far-right’s “destructive portrayal” of a divided Britain, revealing instead a country that is tolerant, inclusive but crying out for real change, it was suggested.
Commissioned by green entrepreneur Dale Vince, the poll questioned people on more than 80 social, political and economic issues.
Counterpoint
Conducted by Hope not Hate and backed by the TUC, the poll was said to provide a counterpoint to the “hate-fuelled rhetoric” dominating parts of the political sphere.
Mr Vince said: “I wanted to know what Britain really thinks. That’s why I commissioned this Giga Poll.
“Our findings show we’re being told fairy tales by the right about the country we live in, about our fellow citizens, our neighbours and friends and what they care about.
“I hope the views and attitudes – expressed through this massive poll – will help shape the future of our country.
“It needs to start with government, they have the levers of power – and they need to start by listening.”
Two thirds of respondents said they live in peaceful, friendly communities and four in five enjoyed mixing with people of other ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.
Cost of living
The cost of living was the biggest concern of those surveyed, followed by the NHS, with immigration and asylum ranking only fourth at 25%.
Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope not Hate, said: “The Giga Poll is the most important piece of polling that has been conducted for many years.
“The size of the poll gives us invaluable information about the state of Britain today and of the hopes and concerns of its citizens.
“The timing of the poll is also crucial.
“Against the backdrop of growing anti-immigrant rhetoric and the largest far-right demonstration in British history, this poll clearly shows that the bulk of British people are far more positive about the country than the media discourse states and are more progressive and nuanced on issues such as climate action and immigration.”
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I don’t see division. I see a narrow band of out right hatred and racism and at its head are people like Putins farage and lennon.
Impose a one off 2% wealth tax, fund health and social care, justice and reverse the measures of austerity. Get people happier again.
The one thing they are telling which is no fairy tale is its’ treacherous desperation to give it all away to Trump/Putin control.
“Fairy Tales”?!!! What are we? 5 years old? Why are we whitewashing the Right’s malevolence, divisiveness and hate speech by giving it all such an innocuous term?
I’m glad this survey was done, but let’s not undo this good work by letting the Right off the hook like that.
If the people who are protesting about taking the country back and British values(whatever that means),why don’t they start by protesting about the drugs in the community and doing something about it along with antisocial behaviour etc etc,and these are non immigrants British people who are bringing our inner cities into no go zones.Get our house in order before we take the moral high ground
Emotionally and intellectually, yes, there are very many five-year-olds out there, There’s nothing innocuous whatsoever about millions of cretinous adults swallowing infantile narratives that are obviously Fascist propaganda.
To those with genuine concerns about the rise in asylum seekers, cost of rehousing, backlog and time taken to process, pressures on local authorities budget, housing stock etc… by platforming with racists, fascists, white supremacists, Islamophobes, the ultra far-right and Neo-Nazis, who were present at the recent protest march, Unite the Kingdom, lose any moral high ground and become tainted by association.
Agree. Labour and others must highlight other issues apart from illegal immigration rather than let the racist Reform use all immigration as cause of problems which Tories failed to tackle in 14 previous years including accepting Brexit was a disaster for most people.
This poll is not really news to me. If you meet ordinary people on the street or regularly watch programs like Question Time you’ll see that the majority of people do not hate migrants or those on benefits. They are compassionate and sympathetic. Party’s like Reform, and the Conservatives, along with people like Trump want to stoke up fear in order to get a vote from fear. Do they have real answers – no. This is nothing new look at the 1930s, when times were hard too. If we allow the far right to gain power they will f*ck our… Read more »