Key facts
- 48% of Britons would not fight for the UK under any circumstances.
- 51% of people supported increasing defence spending.
- Men were the only demographic group where a majority expressed willingness to fight.
A poll released Tuesday, October 13, 2026, found that 48% of Britons would not fight for the UK under any circumstances, a figure unchanged from April 2025 despite growing geopolitical concerns. Only 36% of respondents indicated they would fight under certain conditions. Men were the only demographic group where a majority expressed willingness to fight. Despite individual reluctance, 51% of the public supported increasing defence spending, up from 28% in June 2022. Opinions were divided on funding, with 37% favoring spending cuts and 36% supporting tax increases, particularly on incomes over £125,000.