Only 37% of English describe themselves as 'British' as Cameron pledges to protect Union

 

Last updated at 10:23am on 10th December 2007 Comments (22)

'Union comes first': David Cameron.

 

 

Only 37 per cent of English people describe themselves as "British" when asked their nationality by a foreigner, according to an opinion poll released today.

 

It comes as Tory leader David Cameron vowed to not allow the UK to dissolve into separate countries if he is elected Prime Minister.

The ICM survey reveals growing concern over the future of the Union, with many more children regarding themselves as English rather than British compared with 20 years ago.

However, 69 per cent of those questioned want England and Scotland to stay united, with just 24 per cent calling for the two countries to end 300 years of history and seperate.

Yet voices calling for the dissolution of Britain – both north and south of the border - have become increasingly loud in recent months.

The issue has risen up the political agenda after the Scottish National Party won control of the Scottish Parliament and announced a series of state handouts not available in England.

These have included free university tuition, free prescriptions and a pledge to freeze council tax.

Some 63 per cent of those polled believe that higher public spending in Scotland is not justified.

And 62 per cent say Scottish MPs should not have the right to vote on matters in Westminster which will only affect English and Welsh constituencies.

Yesterday Mr Cameron pledged to address the current funding system which sees Scotland receiving a bigger slice of taxpayers' money than England.

The Conservative leader claimed that the so-called Barnett formula - which gives Scotland more money - needed addressing as "increasingly it looks unfair".

He also said he would review how England issues were settled in parliament - and whether Scottish MPs should be allowed to vote on such matters.

But he added: "The Union comes first. I would rather have an imperfect Union rather than some perfect constitutional construct that would threaten the Union."

Despite the majority of people supporting the continuing Union, there is great concern among the public over its survival.

Only 48 per cent believe it will survive a maximum of 25 years and 59 per cent believe it will be gone in a maximum of 50 years.

Eighteen per cent of those polled forecasted that it would remain "indefinitely" despite only 17 per cent believing England would be better off without Scotland.

John Curtice, the professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: "There is still relatively little appetite for English separatism of any kind.

“Many people in England still feel a clear sense of Britishness."

The poll commissioned by The Daily Telegraph also revealed strong support for the Britain- with more than six out of 10 English voters saying they feel "British".

There is also a surprising call for a UK football team - supported by 57 per cent of those polled.

The result follows the failure of all the home nations to qualify for next year's European championships and amid growing pressure for a British team to compete in the 2012 London Olympics.

There is also a surprising call for a UK football team - supported by 57 per cent of those polled.

The result follows the failure of all the home nations to qualify for next year's European championships

 

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