Poll shows 85% of Britons view nation as deeply divided amid rising concern over extremism

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - An Ipsos poll on Thursday revealed a deepening sense of division in British society as public concern over extremism and the state of the nation continues to rise.

The poll, conducted between Aug. 9-12 in the aftermath of recent riots and unrest, highlights the public's anxiety about various pressing issues, including extremism, the economy and public services.

According to the poll, 85% of Britons believe that society is more divided than ever -- sentiment that has remained consistently high since 2021.

This figure marks a four-point increase since March, underscoring the growing sense of societal fracture.

Concerns about extremism have also intensified. The poll shows that 74% of respondents are worried about the rise of religious extremism in Britain, a significant nine-point increase since March.

Similarly, 73% express concern about the growth of right-wing extremism and 59% about left-wing extremism, both of which have seen notable increases of nine and seven points, respectively.

These numbers reflect a heightened public awareness of the dangers posed by extreme ideologies across the political spectrum.

- Safety concerns following riots

In the wake of the recent unrest, 84% of respondents are concerned about the safety of people living in communities affected by the riots. The violence has brought to the forefront fears about public safety and the well-being of local communities.

The poll also reveals a mixed public response to the handling of the riots by political leaders and social media companies. While the police have received broad support, with 59% of respondents saying they have done a good job, political leaders have faced more criticism.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response to the unrest has been met with a split opinion: 39% approve of his handling of the situation, while 29% disapprove.

In contrast, only 13% believe former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did a good job, with 41% expressing criticism. Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, another prominent political figure, received approval from 21% of respondents, but nearly half (48%) disapproved of his response.

Social media companies, however, have been overwhelmingly criticized for their role in the riots, with 60% of Britons believing they have done a poor job in responding to the unrest.

The UK has seen a surge in charges as authorities respond to the violent riots, which were fueled by false online claims that the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three children in the English seaside town of Southport on July 29 was a Muslim asylum seeker. The identification of the attacker as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old from Cardiff with Rwandan parents, has done little to deter the far-right mobs.

Prime Minister Starmer has vowed swift justice for those involved, and the National Police Chiefs' Council anticipates that arrests and charges will continue to rise as investigations proceed.

On Aug. 7, three men became the first individuals to be jailed for their involvement in the Southport and Liverpool riots. Prosecutors have warned that these cases represent only "the tip of the iceberg" as the crackdown on rioters continues.