January 08, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Three-in-five adults in Britain are dissatisfied with the way their country has evolved over the past five years, according to a poll by YouGov. 60 per cent of respondents think Britain is a worse place to live in than in 2002.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Three-in-five adults in Britain are dissatisfied with the way their country has evolved over the past five years, according to a poll by YouGov. 60 per cent of respondents think Britain is a worse place to live in than in 2002.

In addition, 52 per cent of respondents expect Britain to be a worse place to live in five years time, while only 11 per cent foresee an improvement.

In June 2007, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.

Since December 2005, David Cameron has been the leader of the Conservative party. From 1979 to 1997, the Tories administered the British government under prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

On Jan. 5, Brown discussed the country’s finances, saying, "This is a difficult and dangerous situation for the world economy. But I also believe that Britain is better placed than most to withstand the global turbulence. (...) This is the year when we will make and implement all the major long-term decisions that are going to safeguard and equip Britain properly for the future."

Polling Data

Do you think Britain is a better or a worse place to live in than five years ago?

Better	12%
Worse	60%
About the same	25%
Don’t know	3%

Do you think Britain will be a better or worse place to live in five years time?

Better	11%
Worse	52%
About the same	24%
Don’t know	12%

Source: YouGov
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,566 British adults, conducted from Dec. 20 and Dec. 27, 2007. No margin of error was provided.