We Think

Third of Brits say conscription is 'acceptable', new poll finds

Jan. 26

‘24

By: Mike Underwood

Topics:

Nearly one third of Brits agreed that military conscription would be ‘acceptable’ if war with Russia escalated over the next five years, a new WeThink poll has discovered.

After the outgoing head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, said the UK should "train and equip" a "citizen army", WeThink turned to Brits to find out their thoughts.

57% agreed that there is likely to be a wider conflict with Russia in the next five years, with only 15% disagreeing and 28% said they didn’t know.
Nearly a third (31%) said if there was a war with Russia, conscription would be acceptable, with 38% disagreeing and 31% saying they don’t know.
Nearly two thirds (62%) agreed that membership of the armed forces should always be voluntary with 21% disagreeing and 17% they don’t know.
But at the same time, 39% of people agreed that National Service should be reintroduced with 40% disagreeing and 21% saying they don’t know.
Finally, 61% agreed that the Hamas / Israel war will lead to an escalation in conflict across the Middle East with only 12% disagreeing and 27% saying they don’t know.

Conscription is acceptable in war

Conscription is NOT acceptable in war

Don't know

ON GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE

The majority of Brits say the Government should be doing more to help poor and disabled people during the cost of living crisis, a new poll has found.

WeThink asked people if the Government should do more for low-income people and families after Citizens Advice warned that two million people could have their gas and electricity cut off because they can’t afford to top up prepayment meters.
79% agreed the Government should do more to help with 13% saying it shouldn’t and 8% saying they don’t know.
At the same time, the charity Sense call on the Government to reinstate the disability Cost of Living payment to help disabled adults and families who are twice as likely to live in poverty.
WeThink asked Brits what they thought with 71% saying the payment should be brought back and 17% saying it shouldn’t. 12% said they didn’t know.

ON RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

After a family took the Michaela Community School to court last week over its decision to restrict prayer rituals, WeThink asked British voters for their views:

Three in ten respondents (31%) said they considered themselves religious, with 64% saying they did not and 5% didn’t know.
A third of people (31%) said state schools should be allowed to admit pupils on the basis of religious beliefs, with 45% saying they should not be allowed and 23% said they didn’t know.
42% of people said it was appropriate for prayer to take place in school, with 39% saying it was not appropriate and 19% saying they didn’t know.
50% of people said religious education should not be a compulsory subject in schools, with 35% saying it should and 15% saying they didn’t know.
58% disagreed that schools should be legally required to provide a daily act of collective worship, with 24% saying they should. 17% didn’t know.

ON KNIFE CRIME

Following the sentencing of Valdo Calocane for the fatal stabbing attacks in Nottingham, the debate was reignited over how to make Britain’s streets safer. WeThink quizzed Brits on the subject of knife crime:

84% of Brits agreed they are concerned about knife crime, with only 5% saying they are not concerned and 12% said neither.
81% of Brits agreed that carrying knives in public should lead to a mandatory jail sentence with only 6% disagreeing and 13% said neither.

ON VOTER INTENTION

Labour dropped a point in the polls but are still 24 points clear of the Conservatives while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s latest net approval rating pulled a point back to sit on -24.

Labour (-1)

Conservative (NC)

Reform UK (+2)

LibDem (NC)

Green (+1)

SNP (-1)

PRIME MINISTER APPROVAL

Approve (+1)

Disapprove (NC)

Neither (-1)

SIR KEIR STARMER APPROVAL

Approve (-3)