Staff Reporter
London
Britain’s sense of national pride has suffered a dramatic decline, with just 47 per cent of Britons saying they are proud to be British, according to a new survey by the think tank Demos.
The findings mark a striking change from 2011, when 74 per cent expressed pride in being British. The latest figures suggest that national confidence has weakened considerably over the past 15 years.
The survey paints a picture of a country increasingly uncertain about its identity, institutions and place in the world. Only 13 per cent of those questioned said they were proud of Britain’s role internationally.
The decline in pride appears to cross generations, although the reasons differ. Younger Britons are increasingly critical of aspects of the country’s history and national symbols, while older generations have become more distrustful of established institutions, including the media and political system.
The findings come against a wider backdrop of dissatisfaction and division in British society. Previous research has also found growing concern that the country is changing too quickly, with 48 per cent saying they would like Britain to be more like it was in the past.
Yet the survey does not suggest that Britons have simply stopped caring about their country. Instead, it points to a changing idea of what Britain represents and what citizens believe they can be proud of.
Britain continues to enjoy international strengths in areas such as higher education, culture, music and sport. The challenge, according to observers, is turning those achievements into a renewed sense of shared national confidence.
For a country long associated with a strong sense of identity and tradition, the fall from 74 per cent to 47 per cent represents more than a change in opinion. It is a warning that Britain’s relationship with its own national story may be undergoing a profound transformation.
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