Half of young people wouldn't fight for their country, youth survey shows

Half of young people have said that there are no circumstances under which they would fight for the UK, a survey has found.

Meanwhile, more than a third of young people (38%) would be willing to take up arms under some circumstances, while 12% said that they don't know if they would join any UK involvement in a conflict. 

The John Smith Centre, a non-partisan organisation at the University of Glasgow, ran a poll of 2,000 16 to 29-year-olds on a range of issues, including geopolitics and defence. 

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"The idea that the next generation will have it better than previous ones has been a founding belief for decades.

"[The] poll shows that the majority of this generation no longer believe it is true. And it reveals their loss of belief is collapsing at speed," Eddie Barnes, the John Smith Centre's director, said. 

"It should be little surprise that 50% say that they wouldn't fight for the country under any circumstances. Or as many people might put it: why fight for a country that isn't fighting for you?"

Alongside the poll, the centre also interviewed more than 200 young people to gauge their attitudes. 

The survey said that young people with degrees are more likely to fight for the country (45%) than those with qualifications below degree level (35%). 

When it is viewed from a party-political perspective, Reform UK's supporters would be the most willing to join any fight for Britain, as half said that they would under some circumstances. 

By contrast, less than a third of Green Party supporters (28%) would want to take up arms for the UK under some circumstances. 

"All of the war going on just seems like it's for nothing," a 20-year-old unnamed man said. "No citizens actually want war, it's just the leaders ordering things."

In terms of geopolitics and defence issues, young people see the UK having a supportive role in the world, given that a majority believe that it has a responsibility to intervene to help countries dealing with complex issues.

"Governments across the UK and all political parties need to listen and set out the practical policies that will restore young peoples' faith in the future," Mr Barnes said. 

The John Smith Centre works to break down barriers for young people who wish to enter public life and politics, especially those from under-represented backgrounds.