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Half of Britons would not fight for the UK under any circumstances, Ipsos poll finds

An Ipsos poll finds just one in three Britons would take up arms to defend the UK, highlighting a significant NATO readiness gap.
An Ipsos poll finds just one in three Britons would take up arms to defend the UK, highlighting a significant NATO readiness gap.
Half of Britons would not fight for the UK under any circumstances, Ipsos poll finds

A new Ipsos poll of 1,090 British adults finds that 48% would refuse to fight for Britain under any circumstances — a figure unchanged since April 2025 despite mounting warnings about Russian aggression and rising global instability. Just 36% said they would fight, barely changed from 35% last year. The findings land as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander warns the alliance is "ready to fight tonight" and MI5 names Russia as "aggressor number one."

Among men, willingness to fight outstrips reluctance — 48% say they would take up arms against 40% who would not — making them the only group to break that way.

First Minister John Swinney has expressed doubt that the UK can be considered safe from Russia, pointing to an alarming absence of naval coverage north of Shetland.

Despite the reluctance to fight, 51% of Britons back higher defence spending even if it means increased borrowing, tax rises or reductions in public services.

MoreThe TelegraphHalf of Britons would refuse to fight for their countryalmayadeen.netPoll finds 48% of Britons unwilling to fight in a war - Howl.linkThe IndependentThe UK is being threatened – here’s why Gen Z would never fight backThe IndependentJust one third of Britons say they would go to war for UKLBCHalf of Brits would not fight for UK under any circumstances amid alarm at potential war with RussiaIpsosAttitudes to defence spending and personal trade-offs - IpsosThe TelegraphBritain’s friends and enemies no longer believe we care about defending ourselves
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