The latest findings from the UK’s longest-running survey on the attitudes of the British people reveal a significant shift in how we view our national identity compared to a decade ago. The British Social Attitudes survey, which has been conducted since 1983, tracks our opinions on various social, moral, and political issues.
According to the survey, pride in British achievements has declined in almost all of the categories that were examined in 2013. The research was conducted shortly before the 2024 General Election and covered areas such as arts and literature, sports, history, democracy, our global influence, and economic success.
While over three-quarters of respondents expressed pride in British achievements in arts, literature, and sports, views on British history have seen a sharper decline. Only 64% of people reported feeling “proud” or “very proud” of the country’s past, a significant drop from 86% in 2023. Criticism of the British Empire and its history of colonialism and slavery has contributed to this shift in sentiment.
Furthermore, pride in the functioning of British democracy has decreased by 16 points to 53%, and opinions on the country’s global influence have also declined from 59% to 48% over the past decade. Similarly, perceptions of our economic achievements have only increased by 6% since 1995, reflecting a sense of stagnation in this area.
In addition to exploring national pride, the survey also delved into what it means to be “truly British.” More respondents emphasized civic attributes such as respecting British laws and institutions, holding official citizenship, and identifying with British values over ethnic or religious attributes. The importance of being born in Britain to be considered British has also decreased from 74% in 2013 to 55% in the latest survey.
Most respondents agreed that respecting British laws and institutions is crucial to our national culture, with 86% expressing this view. However, other qualifiers for British identity have seen a decline in importance since 2013.
Overall, the findings of the survey suggest a shift in how Brits perceive their national identity and pride in their country’s achievements. As attitudes continue to evolve, it is important to reflect on what it means to be British and what aspects of our culture and history we value most. Share your thoughts: Are you proud to be British? What aspects of British identity do you cherish, and what areas do you think need improvement? Join the conversation and let your voice be heard.