British national pride falls sharply over 15 years, poll shows

New research commissioned by the think tank Demos reveals a sharp decline in national pride in the United Kingdom over the last 15 years. According to the poll, only 47 per cent of the public now express pride in being British, a significant drop from 74 per cent in 2011.

While national sentiment has declined, pride in local communities has seen an increase, rising from 29 per cent to 40 per cent. The data also shows a marked decrease in pride regarding British history, which fell from 65 per cent to 39 per cent, and Britain's place in the world, which dropped from 35 per cent to 13 per cent.

Polly Curtis, chief executive of Demos, noted that the erosion of confidence in Britain as a whole suggests issues regarding whether citizens feel they have a stake in the country's future or believe democratic institutions are working for them. The findings highlight political challenges for leaders, as the shift occurs amidst a landscape where voters are increasingly fragmented.