Just over 10% of young people in Britain are prepared to fight for the country, with only four out of 10 proud to be British, according to a new survey.
A large minority of Generation Z in Britain, those aged between 18 and 27, said there were no circumstances at all that they would take up arms for their country.
The survey, by YouGov and Public First for The Times of London newspaper, reveals striking changes in results from a similar survey carried out 20 years ago.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, in response to the views of the young people, blamed the education system for “wilfully poisoning” their minds.
Only 41% of the young Britons were proud to be British while 34% were not. The survey also found that almost half, 48%, thought the country was racist, and just 15% believed the country was united.
Just 11 per cent answered yes when asked if they would fight for Britain, 41 per cent stating there were no circumstances at all in which they would take up arms.
In 2004, when a similar survey was commissioned, 80% of young people said they were proud to be British while almost 60% said the country was united.
More than half of those aged from 50 to 64 were proud to be British, increasing to 70% among those aged 65 and above. Only 26 per cent of over 65s thought Britain to be a racist country.
Just under 50% of Gen Zs thought Britain is a tolerant country, compared to 68% among those aged 50 to 64 and to 74% among pensioners.
On the numbers prepared to fight for Britain, General Sir Patrick Sanders, head of the British Army until June last year, said: “If we aren’t prepared to fight for our freedom and way of life as we have always done, then we will become prey in a world of predators.”
Mr Farage, in a video post on social media, said the educational system was the blame for “willfully poisoning the minds” of young people, despite highlighting some of the issues Generation Z faces including the cost of living crisis and unaffordable house prices.
“I know it’s broken Britain, but I think it’s something deeper here,” he said.
“I think the education system at school and particularly university is wilfully poisoning the minds of all our young people about who we are as a country, our history, and what we stand for.
“I think the whole thing is an absolute disgrace.”
