Brief
Half of Britons unwilling to fight for UK in war, Ipsos poll shows
Ipsos data reveal a divided public on military service and defence spending as NATO warns of Russian threats.
By Felo News Desk · Published
According to a new Ipsos poll released on 13 October, 48 per cent of Britons say they would not fight for the United Kingdom under any circumstances, while 36 per cent would take up arms, and the remainder are unsure, the Independent reports.
What happened
The survey asked respondents whether they would join the armed forces in a war involving Britain. The results show that just over a third would be willing, nearly half would refuse, and the rest did not know. The poll also asked about defence spending, with 51 per cent favouring higher expenditure even if it required extra borrowing, higher taxes or cuts to public services, and only 12 per cent supporting a reduction.
What the reports add
The article notes that the findings come days after NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Alexus Grynkewich said the alliance was “ready to fight tonight” if attacked, and after the UK’s National Security Strategy warned of a possible “wartime scenario” on home soil. It also references recent Russian activity, including an arson attack on an Estonian defence firm and a failed attempt to target a Ukrainian aircraft at a German airport.
What was said
Caroline Paskell, research director at Ipsos UK, told the Independent that the poll “underscores the continued public recognition of the demands facing Britain’s Armed Forces” and highlighted a “finely balanced” public mood when trade‑offs for defence funding are considered. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is quoted as saying the UK must base its defence spending on the risk of a Russian attack on NATO, while former defence secretary John Healey warned the country needs to raise defence spending to 3 % of national income by 2030.
How it came about
The poll follows a series of security alerts and NATO statements about Russian aggression, and builds on earlier Felo coverage of public attitudes to foreign conflicts, such as the October 1 poll on US‑Israel war sentiment.
Key facts
- 48% of Britons would not fight for the UK in any war (independent.co.uk)
- 36% would take up arms for Britain (independent.co.uk)
- 51% support higher defence spending even with fiscal trade‑offs (independent.co.uk)
- NATO commander General Alexus Grynkewich said the alliance is ready to fight tonight if attacked (independent.co.uk)
- Defence Secretary Wes Streeting linked spending to the risk of a Russian attack (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Half of Britons unwilling to fight for UK in the event of war, poll finds”
