A recent poll suggests that voters are willing to accept higher taxes in order to bolster defense against potential military threats. According to research conducted by Electoral Calculus and Find Out Now, 39% of respondents believe that increasing spending on defense to counter military threats is necessary, even if it means higher tax burdens, while 24% are opposed to the idea.
The survey, which explored public sentiments regarding defense expenditure, unveiled significant apprehensions among the populace, with 45% expressing concerns about the possibility of a military attack on Britain from another nation.
Interestingly, the study showed that Conservative and Reform supporters are more inclined to support tax hikes for enhancing Britain’s defense capabilities. A substantial majority of Conservatives (63%) and over half of Reform followers (54%) agree that increased taxes are warranted for this purpose. In contrast, only 41% of Labour voters are in favor of raising taxes for combating military threats.
Furthermore, the poll indicated that more than a quarter of Britons would “probably” fight for their country, while two-thirds would consider doing so if necessary. Despite these findings, the public appears to be more focused on perceiving global economic challenges (82%) and climate change (67%) as greater threats to Britain than the prospect of military aggression.
The research also revealed a notable level of concern among respondents regarding the likelihood of an imminent conflict, with 32% believing that Britain could be engaged in a war within the next five years.
In a related observation, the survey indicated that 60% of participants lack confidence in the United States’ ability to provide protection against military threats. In response to these findings, Labour MP and former marine Alex Ballinger emphasized the escalating threat to the UK due to Russia’s ongoing activities in Ukraine.
Addressing the survey results, Martin Baxter, CEO of Electoral Calculus, highlighted public unease surrounding defense issues and the divided opinions on funding additional defense spending, national service, and military participation. He emphasized the complexity of defense policy for the Labour Party, given the reservations among their supporters, amidst a challenging international landscape.
Professor Richard Rose from the University of Strathclyde pointed out that more Britons are willing to support increased taxes for strengthening the military rather than actively engaging in combat roles themselves.
