The Giga Poll of more than 45,300 people covering over 80 issues provides hope that the country is not completely in the grip of racial tensions
The far-right’s destructive portrayal of a divided and broken Britain is today shattered by a massive poll testing the mood of the nation.
In the biggest survey of its kind, the core values of tolerance and open-mindness of Britons shine through.
The “Giga Poll” of more than 45,300 people covering over 80 issues provides hope that the country is not completely in the grip of racial tensions.
Green entrepreneur Dale Vince commissioned the research to determine what Britain really thinks against a backdrop of far-right rhetoric in the news agenda.
He said: “Of course there are concerns over the levels of immigration, and those coming here in small boats, but the British people through this extensive polling show their true colours – and those are the British qualities of compassion, decency and tolerance.”
The polling, undertaken last month by anti-fascist group HOPE not hate and supported by the TUC, provides a snapshot of the views of Britons which will give PM Keir Starmer food for thought.
Giga Poll numbers
Labour trails Nigel Farage’s Reform by six points in the poll – and the public’s dissatisfaction with the government’s performance is laid bare, with two-thirds believing their concerns and fears are not being listened to by those in power. Worryingly for Labour, there is little optimism that they can turn things around.
Four in 10 people believe their personal financial situation will get worse over the coming years, while a shocking two-thirds at best feel that they are getting by – and making cutbacks. And at worst, people are skipping meals or missing rent payments.
Right-wing politicians are failing to brainwash the public into thinking Britain is a lawless nation full of racial tensions, a massive poll has discovered.
It showed that while the British public have concerns over finding solutions to the country’s ills, built up over 14 years of Tory rule, they believe they live in peaceful and friendly communities – despite agitators’ rhetoric.
Green entrepreneur Dale Vince, who commissioned anti-extremism group HOPE not hate to undertake the research, said he believed the polling was essential to set the record straight on what Britain really thinks.
Mr Vince, who has also joined with the TUC to counter what he calls a destructive right-wing narrative, said: “This Giga Poll tells a very different story to the one put out by those on the right, who seek to brainwash the public that we’re living in a constant state of fear. That’s not the case, and this poll proves that we as a nation are not falling for that fake propaganda.”
Last month’s polling – the largest of its kind in its breadth and depth of more than 45,300 people aged from 16 to over 65 – posed 80 questions to a cross-section of the public.
The research showed eight in 10 people like mixing with people of other ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds. And as for the campaigning slogan launched this summer by Reform’s Nigel Farage that “Britain is lawless”, some 65% think their local community is peaceful and friendly. Only 11% disagree.
Right-wing myth
News that Britons are not buying into the angry right-wing rhetoric that the country is tearing itself apart will be a source of comfort to Labour and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He said, following the recent rally organised by far-right extremist Tommy Robinson, that Britain should never surrender its flag to be a symbol of “violence, fear and division.”
Though the right portrays immigration and asylum as the key issue facing Britain, the poll showed it was low down in the list of concerns..
The most-named concern, cited by 56%, was the cost-of-living crisis. The NHS was at 38%. Immigration/asylum was at a lowly 25%.
The poll gives the clearest insight yet into the thinking of the public who feel forgotten, neglected and poorer amid the noise of right-wing attacks on Mr Starmer’s leadership.
The silent majority still suffer from the financial impact of the Tory legacy, with Brexit, low growth, the financial crash of 2008 and austerity thrown into a disastrous mix. They are supportive of a wealth tax on the fattest fatcats, with 75% thinking wealthy people are getting richer while poorer people are getting further behind.
And they are desperate to be heard, with 69% saying the Government should try new ways of involving the public in decision-making, such as citizens’ assemblies or online debates.
And showing the clear win that would result from such an initiative, the poll shows Nigel Farage is failing to smear the idea of being energy-independent, with sustainable green power. Six in 10 agree that “climate change poses a threat to the future well-being of me and my family.” Only 13% disagree.
Net Zero push
And even the controversial push towards Net Zero has a majority favouring the ambition, with 51% buying in to the bigger picture by agreeing that, for the sake of the planet, we have no choice but to move to get carbon-neutral by 2050. But the government needs to do more to win the economic argument, with 49% saying the cost is too high and that we should slow down the process.
Nearly 80% think big business should pay more to meet emission targets and provide environmental protections.
What emerges strongly from the poll is that the public wants decisive action to protect not only their interests, but also those of their communities. It gives a clear signal to the Prime Minister to be stronger and more radical in pushing through policies.
Top of Britain’s list of those perceived to be failing the country are the water companies. Nearly half the public recognise the issue as a priority and demand greater regulation to clean up our waterways.
On Nigel Farage, one in three respondents have a positive opinion of him, but more people dislike him (43%). On the employment front, four in ten people fear their jobs could be replaced by artificial intelligence.