By Staff, Agencies

As the United Kingdom prepares for a jubilant procession to mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, a new Ipsos survey suggests a sharp decline in public willingness to defend Britain in times of war.

The poll, conducted among more than 1,000 adults, found that 48% of Britons said they would refuse to enlist or serve Britain under any circumstances.

Only 35% of respondents expressed willingness to fight if war were to break out, while 17% said they were unsure how they would respond.

The results come just ahead of VE Day commemorations on Monday, May 5, where armed forces bands are expected to lead a jubilant procession through central London.

The ceremony will honor British soldiers who fought in the Second World War, an era often defined by a strong sense of national duty.

Reacting to the survey, Richard Gill, a former British Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the findings point to a broader societal crisis.

“The fact that so many would refuse to fight for Britain is a symptom of a deeper national malaise. We’ve stopped teaching pride in our country, its history, and its values,” he said.

A nation unsure of itself cannot expect its people to defend it. That must change.”

Gill’s comments reveal a concern among veterans and commentators who believe Britain is facing an erosion of civic responsibility and patriotism.