Britons

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Public perception of the US as a serious threat to world peace has doubled during Donald Trump ’s presidency, coinciding with a shift in which Britons have "become more favourable towards Europe ", according to a major survey. A majority of the British public now supports increased defence spending, according to the latest British social attitudes survey, published on Thursday by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

The report found Britons have "undoubtedly become more favourable towards Europe" and "in a clear break with the post-Brexit era, people have a clearer understanding of what the EU is and value practical ties". Around three-quarters of Britons (74%) now perceive the US as a serious threat to global peace, compared with just 36% in 2024 – Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as president on 20 January 2025. Although the 74% figure remains below the 89% recorded for Russia, it is comparable to figures for Israel (78%) and Iran (75%), and somewhat higher than China (62%).

Amid a climate of perceived international turmoil, 42% believe Britain ’s interests are best served by a "closer relationship with western Europe". open image in gallery Brits are now ‘more favourable towards Europe’, the survey shows (PA) ( PA Archive ) In contrast, only 9% feel national interests are best served by a closer relationship with the US. When asked specifically about Britain’s military and defence interests, 37% favoured western Europe and 14% selected the US, with 39% answering "both equally".

Among political affiliations, 55% of Conservative and 54% of Reform UK supporters said "both equally", whereas only 19% of Green Party supporters shared that view. When asked to choose directly between the EU and the US regarding defence interests, 46% chose closer ties with the EU, compared to just 10% selecting the US. "Britain’s European orientation is seemingly more readily expressed when citizens are invited to think in institutional rather than purely geographical terms," the report stated.

The British social attitudes survey is the UK’s longest-running study of political and social opinion, published annually by NatCen since 1983. Support for military spending has reached a record high since the question was introduced, though sharp generational splits remain. The proportion advocating increased defence spending has doubled over two decades, rising from 28% in 2006 to 42% in 2022, and now reaching 56%. While Labour voters (55%) remain less likely than Reform UK (83%) and Conservative supporters (76%) to favour increased funding, the gap has narrowed significantly.

Only Green Party supporters are on balance more likely to advocate reduced spending (47%) than to support an increase (21%), the report showed. By age, 62% of those aged 55 and older support more defence spending, compared with 47% of those aged 35 to 54, and 30% of those under 35. open image in gallery Andy Burnham has spoken about the UK building a closer relationship with the EU ( AFP/Getty ) Meanwhile, just 22% of under-35s consider a willingness "to serve in the military at a time of need" as important, around half the figure (43%) among those aged 55 and over.

The report’s author, British foreign policy researcher Sophia Gaston, said: "The post-Cold War peace that endured for so many years no longer shapes the country’s worldview. "War in Europe, instability in the Middle East, strategic competition with China and doubts about American leadership have led to a psychological shift in Britain, putting foreign policy and national security at the heart of the collective consciousness. "Britons have undoubtedly become more favourable towards Europe.

In a clear break with the post-Brexit era, people have a clearer understanding of what the EU is and value practical ties in a world shaped by conflict. "Yet it would be a mistake to conclude that the country sees defence in binary ‘Europe versus America’ terms. Britons recognise the need for a diversified approach to security alliances; one built on balance, resilience and flexibility." NatCen is an independent, non-profit body and the UK’s largest centre for independent social research.