International

Britain's sense of national pride hits new low amid growing societal divisions

Friday, 7 November 2025 5:02AM UTC

A recent study reveals that eight in ten Britons perceive the nation as more divided than ever, with rising nostalgia, cultural conflicts, and political disenchantment shaping a fractured sense of identity across the country.

National pride in Britain has reached a notably low ebb, with society perceived as more divided than ever before, according to a major recent study. Researchers at King's College London and Ipsos reveal that eight in ten Britons now believe the nation is divided, marking a rise from previous years and sounding a clear warning signal for the current political leadership. This sense of division appears deeply entrenched, spreading across age groups and political affiliations, but is particularly pronounced among supporters of Reform UK, Nigel Farage's party, which has capitalised on concerns about the rapid pace of cultural change and societal fragmentation.

The study highlights that half of the public feel Britain's culture is changing too quickly, up from a third in 2020, and nearly half long for the country to "be the way it used to be." Nostalgia for the past has risen across all demographics, even among young people aged 16 to 24, a group where national pride has seen a steep decline. Less than half of the population (46%) say they are proud to be British, down ten percentage points since 2020, with the sharpest falls among younger adults. Cultural conflicts, including debates around immigration, trans rights, and climate policies, are cited as central to the division, with six in ten regarding these "culture wars" as serious problems for society.

The findings dovetail with other research showing a long-term decline in British national pride. Data from the National Centre for Social Research reveals a 20% drop since 1995 in the number of people who would prefer to be British citizens over any other nationality, alongside decreased pride in Britain's history, democracy, and economic achievements. This erosion of pride is mirrored among Britain’s youth, with additional studies showing low well-being and dissatisfaction among teenagers, who are also less likely to feel pride in their nationality or optimistic about the country’s future.

Political figures and commentators attribute this growing division and loss of confidence in the nation's identity largely to what they describe as the effects of divisive politics. Lord Young of Acton, head of the Free Speech Union, criticises Labour leader Keir Starmer for engaging in identity politics that prioritise minority groups in ways that, he argues, alienate ordinary Britons and exacerbate social fractures. Meanwhile, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson points to weak leadership and societal challenges such as a failing education system and housing unaffordability as reasons for waning national pride and rising disillusionment. Tory MPs stress that ideological multiculturalism has inadvertently fostered segregation rather than cohesion, arguing for a renewed focus on British values to rebuild a shared national identity.

Polling data further underline the depth of these divides: 86% of white respondents feel the nation is divided compared to 72% of ethnic minorities, and perceptions of cultural change occur much more sharply among the white population. The debate around Britain's colonial history remains contested, with a third feeling pride, but a significant minority expressing shame or ambivalence, suggesting unresolved tensions about national identity.

Broader surveys echo these findings, illustrating a pervasive sense of decline and political disenchantment. Ipsos data reveal that 68% of Britons view the country as in decline, with a majority believing the economy is rigged in favour of the elite and that traditional politicians are out of touch with ordinary people’s concerns. This atmosphere of disillusionment is matched by the political landscape, where Reform UK attracts voters most anxious about cultural changes and national division.

Yet there are signs of shifting battlegrounds in British politics. The concerns captured by these studies suggest that Labour may be struggling to address key public issues satisfactorily and could be losing ground in traditional heartlands to emergent parties like Reform UK, who tap into nostalgia and unease about cultural transformation.

In sum, multiple studies paint a picture of Britain grappling with deep and growing ambivalence about its identity, belonging, and future direction. The challenge for politicians and society alike lies in bridging these divides, fostering inclusive dialogues, and crafting policies that address both the fears and hopes of a population increasingly anxious about the state of the nation and its cohesion.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (Daily Mail) - Paragraphs 1-11, 13-23
^[2] (Ipsos) - Paragraphs 2, 8
^[3] (National Centre for Social Research) - Paragraph 3
^[4] (Ipsos) - Paragraph 6, 8
^[5] (Euronews) - Paragraph 3
^[6] (YouGov/ The Times) - Paragraph 3
^[7] (Journal of Social Issues) - Paragraph 3

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15265281/National-pride-plummeted-society-divided-Keir-Starmers-Britain.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/year-southport-and-subsequent-riots-8-10-continue-say-britain-divided - A recent Ipsos survey reveals that 81% of Britons believe society is divided, a figure that has remained relatively stable over the past seven years. The perception of division is particularly strong among older adults, with 91% of those aged 55-75 expressing this view. Politically, 90% of Reform UK voters perceive society as divided, compared to 78% of Labour voters and 82% of Conservative voters. The survey also highlights that 61% of respondents identify divisions between immigrants and people born in Britain as the primary source of tension.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-national-pride-history-survey-b2606212.html - Research from the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) indicates a significant decline in national pride among Britons. The proportion of individuals who would prefer to be British citizens over any other nationality has decreased by 20% since 1995, dropping from 69% to 49% in 2023. Additionally, pride in Britain's history has fallen from 83% in 1995 to 64% in 2023. The survey also notes a decline in pride regarding the UK's democracy and economic achievements.
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/populism-remains-strong - An Ipsos survey across 28 countries reveals strong disillusionment with political and economic systems, both in Great Britain and globally. In Britain, 68% of respondents believe the country is in decline, marking a sharp increase from 48% in 2021. This pessimism is accompanied by widespread anti-system sentiment, with 70% agreeing that the economy is rigged to benefit the rich and powerful, and 66% stating that traditional parties and politicians do not care about people like them.
https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/12/24/uk-named-the-unhappiest-country-for-children-whats-behind-europes-decline-in-youth-well-be - The UK's youth well-being has been ranked the lowest in Europe, according to The Children's Society's 2024 Good Childhood Report. The report found that 25.2% of UK 15-year-olds are dissatisfied with their lives, the highest rate in Europe. This is in contrast to countries like the Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark, where dissatisfaction rates are significantly lower. Experts attribute this decline to various factors, including economic pressures and societal challenges.
https://timesng.com/generation-disillusionment/ - A YouGov survey commissioned by The Times reveals troubling attitudes among Generation Z regarding their nationality and the state of Britain. Conducted among 18-27-year-olds, the study highlights a significant decline in national pride compared to previous generations. The data shows that only 41% of young Britons express pride in their nationality, a stark contrast to 80% reported in a similar survey conducted in 2004. Additionally, nearly half of the respondents believe Britain is 'a racist country' and 'stuck in the past'.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18076390/ - A study published in the Journal of Social Issues examines the decline in national pride in Britain since the 1980s. The research indicates substantial generational differences, with more recent generations exhibiting significantly lower levels of pride in 'Britishness' compared to previous ones. The study also highlights regional disparities, noting that generational differences are more pronounced in Scotland than in England and Wales. The findings suggest that societal changes over the past few decades have contributed to this decline in national pride.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents recent findings from a study by King's College London and Ipsos, indicating a decline in national pride and increased societal divisions in Britain. The study's publication date is not specified, but the report references data from 2020 and 1995, suggesting the study was conducted in 2024. The Daily Mail article was published on 7 November 2025, which is within a reasonable timeframe for reporting on such studies. However, the Daily Mail's website is currently inaccessible due to a robots.txt restriction, preventing direct verification of the article's content. The study's findings align with other recent surveys, such as the 2024 Survey of Londoners by Ipsos, which explored perceptions of important issues facing London, including housing and transport. ([londoncouncils.gov.uk](https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-02/24_060116_01_survey_of_londoners_2024_public.pdf?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that the narrative is based on recent and original research, warranting a high freshness score. However, the inability to access the original article limits the ability to fully verify the content. Additionally, the Daily Mail is known for sensationalist reporting, which may affect the reliability of the information presented. Therefore, while the study's findings are likely accurate, the presentation in the Daily Mail may require further scrutiny.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from political figures and commentators, such as Lord Young of Acton and Reform UK MP Lee Anderson. These quotes are not found in the provided search results, indicating they may be original to the Daily Mail article. The absence of these quotes in other sources suggests that the narrative may contain exclusive content, warranting a high originality score. However, without access to the original article, it is difficult to verify the accuracy and context of these quotes.

Source reliability

Score: 4

Notes: The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a publication known for sensationalist reporting and a history of inaccuracies. The website is currently inaccessible due to a robots.txt restriction, preventing direct verification of the article's content. While the study's findings are likely accurate, the presentation in the Daily Mail may require further scrutiny.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents findings from a study by King's College London and Ipsos, indicating a decline in national pride and increased societal divisions in Britain. These findings align with other recent surveys, such as the 2024 Survey of Londoners by Ipsos, which explored perceptions of important issues facing London, including housing and transport. ([londoncouncils.gov.uk](https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-02/24_060116_01_survey_of_londoners_2024_public.pdf?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of direct quotes from political figures and commentators adds credibility to the narrative. However, the Daily Mail's history of sensationalist reporting and the current inaccessibility of its website raise concerns about the accuracy and context of the information presented.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents findings from a recent study indicating a decline in national pride and increased societal divisions in Britain. While the study's findings are likely accurate and the narrative includes exclusive quotes, the Daily Mail's history of sensationalist reporting and the current inaccessibility of its website raise concerns about the accuracy and context of the information presented. Therefore, further verification from additional reputable sources is recommended.

National pride
Societal division
Cultural change