Posted on 05/08/2002 10:28:54 PM PDT by Timesink
THE popular image of young people as opposed to tradition, the monarchy and patriotism is wrong, says a poll of attitudes to Britishness.
The survey of 20- to 30-year-olds shows that symbols of "old" Britain, such as the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace and Marks & Spencer, figure far more prominently than the trappings of "Cool Britannia" in many young people's sense of national identity.
Nearly three-quarters of those questioned said they were proud to be British, an emotion that 50 per cent said they felt when they saw the Union flag.
Three-quarters wanted the Queen's head to remain on stamps and Prince William was easily the most popular choice as the best ambassador for Britain. As to what most united Britain and its people, the Royal Family came second after sport.
Asked to name an "icon of nationhood", two thirds said Buckingham Palace, followed by the Mini, public protests and the London Eye.
While just over half disagreed that Britain was "proudly multi-ethnic", 85 per cent said that all new citizens should learn to be fluent in English and 68 per cent said they should have to swear an oath of allegiance.
Asked to choose the brand that best represented Britishness, the most popular choice was Marks & Spencer, followed by Cadbury's, Virgin, Marmite and Burberry.
The survey will make uncomfortable reading for Government supporters who believe that the Prime Minister has captured the imagination of younger voters.
Although he managed to beat David and Victoria Beckham, Tony Blair came sixth. When asked to choose a replacement for the Queen's head on stamps, respondents said they would rather have Ali G than Mr Blair, although a lion was first choice.
The survey questioned 1,000 people for Corporate Edge, a marketing consultancy. Peter Shaw, a director, stressed many of those polled were recent immigrants who were as anxious as anyone to stress how important they felt being British was.
Not many conservatives in the US would like having their tax dollars go to a royal family.
We already have a lot of our tax dollars going to a royal family. The Kennedy's are getting a large amount of taxpayers dollars for the various offices they hold.
Yeah, governments do a much better job of spending tax payers money!
"The SYSTEM is Plastic--man!"
is cool anymore?
Still, they recognize implicitly the under God principle that way, as well as the graciousness it should promote to a nation. We have to remember that in 1776 we would have been allied with the King at the face of a materialistic onslaught like we suffer these days.
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