Huge numbers of Britons would support an anti-immigration English nationalist party if it was not associated with violence and fascist imagery, according to the largest survey into identity and extremism conducted in the UK. [See details below]
A Populus poll found that 48% of the population would consider supporting a new anti-immigration party committed to challenging Islamist extremism ….
Anti-racism campaigners said the findings suggested Britain's mainstream parties were losing touch with public opinion on issues of identity and race.
The poll suggests that the level of backing for a far-right party could equal or even outstrip that in countries such as France, the Netherlands and Austria.
39% of Asian Britons against further immigration
According to the survey, 39% of Asian Britons, 34% of white Britons and 21% of black Britons wanted all immigration into the UK to be stopped permanently, or at least until the economy improved.
And 43% of Asian Britons, 63% of white Britons and 17% of black Britons agreed with the statement that "immigration into Britain has been a bad thing for the country".
Over half of all respondents agree "Muslims create problems in the UK"
Just over half of respondents – 52% – agreed with the proposition that "Muslims create problems in the UK".
The poll also identified a majority keen to be allowed to openly criticise religion, with 60% believing they "should be allowed to say whatever they believe about religion".
By contrast, fewer than half – 42% – said "people should be allowed to say whatever they believe about race".
Source: guardian.co.uk Read more
And another summary.
Half of Britain 'would vote for far-Right parties if they gave up violence'
Almost half the country would back a far-Right party if they gave up violence, an astonishing new poll revealed today.
A total of 48 per cent said that they would support a group that vowed to crack down on immigration and Islamic extremists.
They would also restrict the building of mosques and order the flag of St George or the Union Jack be flown on all public buildings.
In one of the most revealing questions, pollsters Populus asked people if they would back a party that ‘wants to defend the English, create an English parliament, control immigration and challenge Islamic extremism’.
A total of 48 per cent said they would either ‘definitely support’ or ‘consider supporting’ a party with such an agenda, if it shunned violence and fascist imagery.
…. In the 12 months to last September, 238,950 migrants were allowed into Britain, the highest figure since records began.
Sixty per cent of people thought immigration had been ‘a bad thing’ for England, against 40 per cent who said it had been ‘good’.
Thirty-four per cent said immigration should be stopped permanently or until the economy improved. The report also found opposition comes from all races, not just ‘white Britons’.
'And 52 per cent of Britons agree that ‘Muslims create problems in the UK’.
Source: MailOnline Read more
Details of Survey
The Searchlight Educational Trust commissioned the polling organisation Populus to carry out this survey.
With 5,054 respondents and 91 questions it is one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys into attitude, identity and extremism in the UK to date. The findings are in a major report called “Fear and Hope – the New Politics of Identity”. See full project report here.
