Nuclear weapons and disarmament
British attitudes in the 1980s
Q Should Britain get rid of its nuclear weapons, even if other countries keep theirs?
| 23-29 Oct 1981* | 18 Jan 1983* | Mar 1983 | 6 May 1983 ‡‡ | 28 Oct 1983* | 8-9 Dec 1983† | 11-12 Dec 1983† | 3-4 Nov 1986** | 12-14 May 1987‡ | 5-6 Jun 1987‡ | 29-30 Dec 1987§ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| Should | 23 | 23 | 32 | 19 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 31 | 24 | 24 | 30 |
| Should not | 69 | 72 | 62 | 72 | 73 | 69 | 70 | 63 | 70 | 70 | 60 |
| Don't know | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 10 |
*Asked as "Q. I am going to read out some suggestions that people have made regarding the defence policies of this country. Please tell me whether, on balance, you think Britain should or should not do each one: Get rid of all nuclear weapons in Britain, even if other countries keep theirs" **Asked as "Q. I am going to read out a number of policies that some people would like the next government to adopt. For each would you tell me whether you support or oppose that policy? Get rid of all nuclear weapons in Britain even if other countries keep theirs" §Asked as "Q. Do you support or oppose the government adopting the following policy? Get rid of nuclear weapons in Britain even if other countries keep theirs" †Asked as "Q. Please tell me whether you would favour or oppose the following policy for Britain: Get rid of nuclear weapons, even if other countries keep theirs" ‡Asked as "Q. On balance do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Britain should get rid of its nuclear weapons, even if other countries keep theirs" ‡‡Asked as "Q. I am going to read out a list of statements and I would like you to tell me from this card how strongly you agree or disagree with each one: Britain should get rid of her nuclear weapons even if other countries keep theirs"
