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Less than half the country is 'proud to be British' - and it's worse for Gen-Z
United Kingdom🏛️ PoliticsCenter7 days ago

Less than half the country is 'proud to be British' - and it's worse for Gen-Z

A recent survey by the think tank Demos reveals a significant decline in national pride across various aspects of British identity. Pride in being British has dropped from 74% in 2011 to 47% in 2026, with even sharper declines among Generation Z. Pride in British history has also fallen, from 65% to 39%, with under-25s showing a dramatic decrease from 54% to -4%. Pride in Britain's global standing, Parliament, and the monarchy has similarly declined, with some metrics turning negative. In contrast, pride in local communities has increased from 29% to 40%, suggesting a shift toward valuing local connections over national identity. The report highlights a growing disconnect between citizens and national institutions, warning of a potential democratic crisis. The findings are part of Demos' report 'A Place for Pride 2026,' which calls for greater civic engagement and institutional reform.

Former Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose has dismissed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s plan to revitalise high streets as “a lot of bcks about nothing.” In a sharp critique during a BBC Newsnight interview, Rose, a former chairman of both Marks & Spencer and Asda, accused the government of offering “a lot of hot air” rather than meaningful solutions. His comments come amid broader political tensions over how best to address the ongoing decline of traditional town centres. Burnham’s proposed measures include stricter controls on the expansion of betting and vaping shops, requiring planning permission for these establishments and tightening definitions to prevent them from circumventing regulations. The policies also seek to remove the so-called “Aim to Permit” rule, introduced during Tony Blair’s tenure, which allowed certain businesses to operate without local approval. Under the new rules, local councils will gain greater authority to block new venues deemed harmful to communities. Additionally, closure orders for rogue shops linked to organized crime will be extended from six to twelve months, giving authorities more time to investigate violations. Despite these changes, Rose argued that the measures alone would not reverse the trend of declining high streets. He emphasized the need for deeper structural reforms, including reducing business rates and lowering operational costs for local businesses. “Forgive my French, but it’s a lot of bcks about nothing,” he said, adding that shutting down non-illegal businesses like vaping shops would not address the root causes of the problem. “If the vape shops are illegal, they should be shut down full stop!” he insisted, suggesting that enforcement should focus on actual legal violations rather than symbolic gestures. The government has defended its approach, stating that empowering local communities to manage planning decisions will help restore vibrancy to town centres. Downing Street highlighted efforts to improve the aesthetic appeal of high streets and support initiatives that foster civic pride. During a recent visit to Derbyshire, Burnham reiterated his commitment to addressing the “hollowed out” state of high streets, particularly in former industrial regions. He described the situation as a pressing national concern, noting that the decline has affected towns across the country. Political opponents have seized on the debate, with Conservative MP James Cleverly accusing Labour of exacerbating the crisis through its business rate hikes. “Labour’s increases in planning regulation will just mean more empty and boarded-up shops,” he warned, arguing that without financial relief for small businesses, regulatory changes will fail to produce tangible results. Similarly, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick called for immediate action on issues like the jobs tax and business rates, warning that current policies risk further damaging the high street landscape. Meanwhile, separate polling conducted by the think tank Demos reveals a steep decline in national pride among Britons. Only 47 percent of respondents now express pride in being British, down from 74 percent in 2011. This trend has been accompanied by a notable increase in pride in local communities, rising from 29 percent to 40 percent. The data suggests a growing disconnect between national identity and personal attachment to specific places, a theme that aligns with Burnham’s “place first” philosophy. The report highlights a dramatic drop in pride in British history, from 65 percent to 39 percent, and a sharp fall in confidence in the UK’s global standing, which has plummeted from 35 percent to 13 percent. Institutional trust has also suffered, with negative perceptions of Parliament reaching -11 percent and the monarchy losing ground from 54 percent to 25 percent. These findings underscore a broader societal shift toward localized belonging, which Burnham aims to harness through his governance agenda. As the debate over high street revival intensifies, the challenge remains whether Burnham’s policies will effectively address the complex economic and social factors contributing to the decline of traditional retail hubs. With political factions offering competing visions for the future of the UK’s urban landscapes, the outcome of these discussions will likely shape the trajectory of local economies and national identity for years to come.

3 reports

Daily Mail logoDaily MailIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 6012 days ago
Former M&S boss brands Andy Burnham's plan to 'save high streets' as a 'lot of b****cks about nothing'

Former Marks & Spencer executive Stuart Rose criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to revitalize high streets, calling it 'a lot of b****cks about nothing.' Burnham's proposal includes stricter controls on new betting and vape shops, requiring planning permissions and longer closure orders for rogue businesses. Rose, a Conservative peer, argued these measures alone would not revive town centers without reforms to business rates and operational costs. He emphasized that banning illegal activities like vaping and betting should be enforced directly rather than through planning restrictions. The plan was part of broader government efforts to empower local communities in managing their high streets, with additional support for improving their appearance and restoring community pride.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames criticism of Burnham's plan as coming from a respected industry figure (Stuart Rose), who uses strong language ('hot air', 'b****cks about nothing') to dismiss the policy. While the content itself is neutral, the emphasis on the critique from a Conservative-aligned individual and贬

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports Stuart Rose's criticism of Andy Burnham's high street plan, including his quote 'a lot of b****cks about nothing' and his points about the need for business rate reforms. The details about the proposed changes to planning policies regarding betting and vaping shops are

Why objectivity (60): The article uses strong language such as 'a lot of b****cks about nothing' and 'hot air', which may influence reader perception. While it presents Rose's views, it does not provide counterpoints from supporters of Burnham’s plan, leading to an imbalanced perspective.

Daily Mirror logoDaily MirrorIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 608 days ago
Less than half the country is 'proud to be British' - and it's worse for Gen-Z

A recent survey by the think tank Demos reveals a significant decline in national pride across various aspects of British identity. Pride in being British has dropped from 74% in 2011 to 47% in 2026, with even sharper declines among Generation Z. Pride in British history has also fallen, from 65% to 39%, with under-25s showing a dramatic decrease from 54% to -4%. Pride in Britain's global standing, Parliament, and the monarchy has similarly declined, with some metrics turning negative. In contrast, pride in local communities has increased from 29% to 40%, suggesting a shift toward valuing local connections over national identity. The report highlights a growing disconnect between citizens and national institutions, warning of a potential democratic crisis. The findings are part of Demos' report 'A Place for Pride 2026,' which calls for greater civic engagement and institutional reform.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames declining national pride as a sign of a 'democratic emergency' and emphasizes the need for institutional reform and greater civic participation. While it presents data objectively, the emphasis on rebuilding national identity through inclusivity and local empowerment aligns with a

Why factuality (80): This article provides detailed statistics from the Demos poll, including specific percentages for different aspects of pride such as British history, place in the world, Parliament, and the monarchy. These figures are consistent with the first article and other sources, indicating a strong cross-sou

Why objectivity (60): The tone of this article is more alarmist, emphasizing the 'collapse' in certain forms of pride and linking the findings to broader societal issues. While it presents data objectively, the language used ('plummeted', 'collapse') suggests a more negative interpretation of the results, potentially inf

The Independent logoThe IndependentIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 657 days ago
Pride in being British has fallen sharply in the past 15 years, poll shows

A recent poll conducted by YouGov for the think tank Demos reveals a significant decline in national pride among Britons over the past 15 years, with only 47% expressing pride in being British compared to 74% in 2011. However, pride in local communities has increased from 29% to 40%. The study highlights concerns about declining trust in national institutions such as Parliament, the BBC, and the monarchy, with pride in Parliament dropping to -11%, and pride in the BBC also reaching -11%. Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasizes a 'place first' approach, aiming to address regional disparities and foster inclusivity. The report suggests that the erosion of national pride is linked to a lack of perceived belonging and confidence in democratic institutions.

Bias read (Center): The article presents data from a poll showing a decline in national pride and increasing local community pride, with balanced quotes from Polly Curtis of Demos and references to Andy Burnham's policies. It does not exhibit overtly biased language or one-sided sourcing, maintaining a neutral tone in

Why factuality (75): The article reports on a poll conducted by Demos showing a decline in national pride from 74% in 2011 to 47% in 2026. It mentions the increase in pride in local communities and references Polly Curtis' comments. While these figures align with the cross-source consensus, the article includes some spe

Why objectivity (65): The article presents the findings with a somewhat critical tone towards the current state of national pride and links it to political figures and movements. There is a clear narrative suggesting a decline in national identity and an emphasis on local pride, which may reflect a particular perspective

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