This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/aug/19/olympic-poll-positive-britain
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Poll: Olympics 'showed a happy confident multi-ethnic image of UK' | Poll: Olympics 'showed a happy confident multi-ethnic image of UK' |
| (8 months later) | |
| Three out of four British people believe the Olympics showed Britain to be "a confident, multi-ethnic country", according to a survey of the national mood. | Three out of four British people believe the Olympics showed Britain to be "a confident, multi-ethnic country", according to a survey of the national mood. |
| The same proportion of Britons (75%) say they supported all Team GB athletes with equal passion, regardless of where they were born, with only 13% saying they had felt more loyal to British-born competitors. | The same proportion of Britons (75%) say they supported all Team GB athletes with equal passion, regardless of where they were born, with only 13% saying they had felt more loyal to British-born competitors. |
| The poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI, for the independent thinktank British Future on the final weekend of the Olympics fortnight, shows attitudes are even more positive after the Games than they had been when people were questioned at the end of last year. | The poll, conducted by Ipsos MORI, for the independent thinktank British Future on the final weekend of the Olympics fortnight, shows attitudes are even more positive after the Games than they had been when people were questioned at the end of last year. |
| Responding to the findings, the director of British Future, Sunder Katwala, whose father came to Britain from India in 1968, two weeks after Enoch Powell had warned that the country would be "building its own funeral pyre" by increasing immigration, said the late Tory minister's argument "belongs to the history books now". He said: "What we see in Team GB is a snapshot of the making of modern Britain. At least a third of Britain's 65 medals reflected the positive contribution of immigration and integration to Britain over the last three generations. Team GB is not a perfect microcosm of modern British society. After all, it was selected through fierce sporting meritocracy, not any desire to offer a representative picture. | Responding to the findings, the director of British Future, Sunder Katwala, whose father came to Britain from India in 1968, two weeks after Enoch Powell had warned that the country would be "building its own funeral pyre" by increasing immigration, said the late Tory minister's argument "belongs to the history books now". He said: "What we see in Team GB is a snapshot of the making of modern Britain. At least a third of Britain's 65 medals reflected the positive contribution of immigration and integration to Britain over the last three generations. Team GB is not a perfect microcosm of modern British society. After all, it was selected through fierce sporting meritocracy, not any desire to offer a representative picture. |
| "There were almost no British Asian team members, though I saw plenty of young children with Union Jack facepaint in the Olympic Park who might be inspired in the next generation. But put our team alongside the torch carriers, the volunteers and the crowds, and it offered a pretty good snapshot of the country we have become: confident about our shared identity and shared pride. Britain has changed – but perhaps we have never before been quite as proud to be British." | "There were almost no British Asian team members, though I saw plenty of young children with Union Jack facepaint in the Olympic Park who might be inspired in the next generation. But put our team alongside the torch carriers, the volunteers and the crowds, and it offered a pretty good snapshot of the country we have become: confident about our shared identity and shared pride. Britain has changed – but perhaps we have never before been quite as proud to be British." |
| No fewer than 86% thought the Olympics had a positive effect on the national mood with 53% of these believing it had been "very positive". Only 6% said the effect had been negative; 82% of people said the Games had made people feel more proud to be British; 79% thought they would increase the amount of sport people play and 50% believed they would lead to an increase in volunteering; 67% said they were surprised how much the Olympics had brought the country together; while 58% thought the Games would leave a lasting, positive legacy. | No fewer than 86% thought the Olympics had a positive effect on the national mood with 53% of these believing it had been "very positive". Only 6% said the effect had been negative; 82% of people said the Games had made people feel more proud to be British; 79% thought they would increase the amount of sport people play and 50% believed they would lead to an increase in volunteering; 67% said they were surprised how much the Olympics had brought the country together; while 58% thought the Games would leave a lasting, positive legacy. |
| People were, however, realistic about the broader prospects for 2012. Back in December, 52% were optimistic about 2012 for them and their family and 26% pessimistic. As the Olympics ended, only 47% were saying the year had been good so far, while 27% said it had been bad for them and their families. Among Scots, opinion was divided about whether the Games would assist or hamper the independence cause. The most common view, held by 33%, was that it would lower support for separation, with 17% saying it would decrease support a lot. Around a half of Scots believed it would make no difference. | People were, however, realistic about the broader prospects for 2012. Back in December, 52% were optimistic about 2012 for them and their family and 26% pessimistic. As the Olympics ended, only 47% were saying the year had been good so far, while 27% said it had been bad for them and their families. Among Scots, opinion was divided about whether the Games would assist or hamper the independence cause. The most common view, held by 33%, was that it would lower support for separation, with 17% saying it would decrease support a lot. Around a half of Scots believed it would make no difference. |
| Britain-wide, 66% agreed (12% disagreed) with reviewers that Danny Boyle's opening ceremony reflected the best of traditional and modern Britain. Asked whether the Games had shown the country to be a "confident, multi-ethnic society", 75% agreed (27% strongly) while only 7% disagreed. | Britain-wide, 66% agreed (12% disagreed) with reviewers that Danny Boyle's opening ceremony reflected the best of traditional and modern Britain. Asked whether the Games had shown the country to be a "confident, multi-ethnic society", 75% agreed (27% strongly) while only 7% disagreed. |
| Ipsos MORI questioned 1,015 adults aged 16 to 75 online between 10 August and 13 August. | Ipsos MORI questioned 1,015 adults aged 16 to 75 online between 10 August and 13 August. |
| guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am |