British Opinions Move To The Left, Survey Finds (Press, 3 November 1986)

Public opinion in Britain has shifted significantly to the Left since 1983, according to the third annual British Social Attitudes survey, published on 3 November 1986. This comprehensive study, funded by charitable, governmental, and private sources, indicates considerable changes in attitudes regarding wealth distribution, defence, and sexual norms. Despite this shift toward Left-leaning viewpoints, hostility towards homosexuality and support for limiting homosexual rights have notably increased, particularly among committed Labour voters. John Curtice, a researcher associated with the survey, argues that the findings challenge the perception that the Conservative government has cultivated a new Right-wing consensus among the electorate. The study identified a "clear shift to the Left" in public opinion observed during 1984 and 1985, with several specific areas experiencing notable changes in attitudes. For instance, opposition to the redistribution of income and wealth towards “ordinary working people” decreased from 37 per cent in 1983 to 28 per cent in 1985. Similarly, support for Britain's independent nuclear deterrent dwindled from 77 per cent to 68 per cent, and those opposing reduced spending on defence declined from 53 per cent to 42 per cent. Furthermore, the priority of inflation over unemployment as a pressing concern also saw a decrease in support, falling from 27 per cent to 22 per cent. Curtice commented on this trend, noting that the electorate appears to be moving away from much of the ideological territory occupied by the Conservative government. In contrast, the survey revealed a trend towards more liberal sexual attitudes that seem to diverge from the beliefs held by some Conservative leaders. For example, support for abortion rights, grounded in health concerns and fetal defects as well as women's rights, has become stronger. Notably, societal attitudes towards pre-marital sex have evolved, with fewer individuals believing it is always or mostly wrong. However, an increase in the number of people viewing homosexual relationships as morally wrong was recorded, climbing from 62 per cent in 1983 to 69 per cent in 1985. Additionally, there was a drop in the percentage of people who believe that homosexuality is "not wrong at all," from 17 per cent to 13 per cent. This reflected a growing scepticism in social acceptance of homosexuals in professional roles, with only 0.36 per cent (down from 41 per cent) considering it acceptable for homosexuals to be employed as school teachers. The survey, conducted by Social and Community Planning Research, included responses from 1,700 individuals across the nation, giving it a considerable foundation in public sentiment at the time.

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