Britons won't fight for country: poll

[the Kelly Gang]

Britons won't fight for country: poll
From corespondents in London
September 13, 2004
ONLY one in five young Britons would fight unconditionally for their country, while a similar number would refuse to take up arms "under any circumstances", according to a poll published today.

The poll results are likely to worry policymakers, as they show a level of scepticism about military action that has not been seen since the 1930s, according to The Times, which published the survey.

The newspaper added that the exposure brought by British troop involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq "has decreased support for the call to take up arms".


http://theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10755204%255E1702,00.html

[LibLabUK]

1. Hmm

"ONLY one in five young Britons would fight unconditionally for their country,"

Sigh, that means 20% still need to be educated.. They obviously still believe the 'old lie': "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

'My country, right or wrong' is such an ugly belief... I feel disappointed that so many youngsters still believe in it.

[krkaufman]

2. "unconditionally" is key qualifier

Britons *will* fight for their country, but 80% won't do so "unconditionally." While less than 20% said they wouldn't fight "under any circumstances."

Of course, the fact that the poll was limited to "young" Britons (18-30) shouldn't alter the impression one takes from the poll, since it's this age range that does the fighting.

[Downtown Hound]

3. So what?

I wouldn't fight unconditionally for my country. Sure, if it were threatened I would fight to my dying breath for it, and I think most Britons would theirs, but I'd go to jail before I fought in Iraq.