State Of the Nation
In February, the single most important issue in the minds of nearly a quarter (23%) of the British nation was immigration and asylum seekers, nearly double the percentage who expressed concern about either the state of the nation's health care (13%) or Iraq, terrorism and the nation's defence (13%).
What was different about February and the month before was that the Conservative Party under party leader Michael Howard and shadow home secretary David Davis tapped the nerve of the nation on this issue. In January, 13 percent had spontaneously nominated immigration as the single most important issue facing the country and Iraq led the poll at 18 percent.
This concern about immigration is reflected in the latest MORI poll conducted exclusively for the Observer over the past three days. Seven people in ten believe that laws on immigration should be much tougher (58%) or even that immigration should be stopped altogether (11%).
Among working class people the figure rises to eight in ten, as three in four of those 55 and over. That nearly nine in ten Tories support harsher laws isn't surprising. But that six in ten Labour supporters also want rules tightened is impacting on Labour's campaign. Labour's recent noises show both their reaction to the country's mood and to its electoral importance as we get into the real campaign.
Two people in three acknowledge that immigrants make Britain more open to new ideas and culture, but their contribution to the country's economy is less well recognised, as fewer than half, 45 percent, say that immigration is general good for the economy, and a third believe that immigrants increase crime rates.
The government's tightening up on suspected terrorists is widely supported. When asked "There are differing views about the balance between guaranteeing civil liberties and the need to protect the country against terrorism", three people in four, 74 percent, believe it is acceptable for British authorities to place suspected terrorists under house arrest, and only one in five say they would find it unacceptable, over half, 55 percent, to detain suspected terrorists without trial, and as many as one in five, 19 percent, to allow evidence obtained abroad by the use of torture to be used in British courts.
More of the younger age group, 18-34, are supportive of house arrest (82 percent v. 74 percent) and torture-based evidence (27 percent v. 19 percent) than the average.
Yet it would be wrong to describe the state of the nation as illiberal. While many people are concerned about immigration and terrorism, and want the government to act as well as talk tough, the British are essentially supportive of the principles of the welfare state.
Between 1992 and 1997, literally scores of BBC and other broadcasters repeated the Tory mantra that people may tell pollsters they are in favour of higher taxes, but they don't vote that way on Election Day. In 1997, MORI asked in the first week of the campaign if they expected Labour, if elected, to put up their taxes, and despite Labour's promises not to do so, 63 percent said they thought Labour would. And in 2001, the public certainly recognised that Labour had put up their taxes, and even expected them to do so again, and gave them another landslide.
There is much debate in the Tory party about the strength of the tax issue on the election. A third of the public say that tax is an issue which will be one of the two or three issues on which will help to determine how they will vote. Over half say this of health care.
When asked to choose between cutting taxes even if it means some reduction in government services, such as health care, education and welfare, and extending them even if it means an increase in taxes, in this poll, over half, 56 percent, say they would prefer an extension of services, while only 15 percent wish to see taxes cut with a cut in services.
When asked specifically about redistribution of wealth, for support or opposition the taxes being used to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, more than twice as many, 59 percent, support this use of their taxes while a quarter say they would oppose it. Perhaps surprisingly, two thirds of those in the professional and managerial class are willing to support wealth redistribution, the highest level of support in society.
One reason for this apparent contradiction between financial self-interest and support for society is that most people, 76 percent, say they are satisfied with their standard of living from their being able to make personal decisions on the things they can buy and do, their housing, furniture, food, cars, recreation and travel, which go to make up their standard of living within their control.
Among ABs, the same managers and professionals, 85 percent say they are satisfied with their own financial circumstances. Over a third in fact, 35 percent, say they are very satisfied.
The level of the nation's debt is of concern to the Treasury and to the City, but three quarters of the nation seem relaxed about it. Some 44 percent say they have no debt, and another third, 32 percent, say that while they do borrow, their current level of borrowing is not a problem. One person in seven however, admits they do worry occasionally about their level of borrowing, and to 7 percent, worry most of the time. These are mostly among the young (11%), and people renting (12%).
Much is made of the threats of modern life to a good work/life balance. Seven in ten however agree that they feel they have a good work/life balance. Those who feel this is not the case are more in the middle age group, middle classes, and especially those who work part time.
