Britons Saddened, Ashamed and Disgusted by Student Demonstration
Most respondents believe “kettling” was justified during the 9 December demonstration in London.
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(12/29/10) -
Most people in Britain support the measures taken by the Metropolitan Police during a recent demonstration in London over tuition fees and many would consent to the use of the water cannon in future protests, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative sample of 2,003 British adults, three-in-four respondents (75%) say they are following news related to the student demonstrations “very closely” or “moderately closely.”
Student Demonstrations
Earlier this year, the British Government allowed Universities in England to charge students up to £9,000 per year to students who take their courses. An Angus Reid Public Opinion survey conducted in early November found that seven-in-ten Britons oppose the increase.
Major student demonstrations have taken place in London on 10, 24 and 30 November and 9 December. On 9 December, a protester climbed the memorial to Britain’s war dead, and a vehicle carrying Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was attacked on Regent Street.
Respondents were asked about the feelings they may have about the student demonstration over tuition fees that took place on 9 December in London. Half of respondents (50%) feel sadness, while two-in-five feel shame (45%), disgust (45%) and anger (42%).
Police Actions
On 9 December in London, the Metropolitan Police used a tactic called “kettling”, which aims to contain a crowd within a limited area and aims at either preventing demonstrators from leaving or forcing them to exit in a manner determined by the officers on the ground. The demonstrators can be denied access to water and food.
Overall, a majority of respondents (53%) believe the use of “kettling” was justified on 9 December, while 37 per cent consider it unjustified.
Earlier this month, Home Secretary Theresa May said there is no legal authority to use the water cannon on the streets of England and Wales during student demonstrations. More than half of respondents (55%) think the use of the water cannon by officers during future demonstrations would be justified, while 36 per cent disagree.
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CONTACT:
Mario Canseco, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations
+877 730 3570
mario.canseco@angus-reid.com
Methodology: From December 17 to December 20, 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted an online survey among 2,003 randomly selected British adults who are Springboard UK panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Great Britain. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
