What are we worrying about this week?
French pollster IFOP has surveyed not just the French, but our lot, the Spanish, Italians, Germans etc on 'the most important issues facing the country'. Furthermore, the detail is broken down to statistical regions and basic demographics.
Partly because the questions fit the norms of French polling - 'purchasing power', 'your country's place in the world' rather than our own, or Belgian cliches, there is a fair degree of variation country to country.
Number one concern across the seven countries polled is 'purchasing power', with this leading in Belgium, France, Italy and the Netherlands. The Spanish are fretting about employment, the Germans social protection, and for us, the issue that dare not speak its name, at 37% - immigration. The only other issue to reach double figures is the French equivalent of law and order, at 22%.
Within the UK, immigration tips in at 50% for the over 50s, 43% in the South East and 51% in the West Midlands. London and Scotland are the only regions where immigration does not lead, with law and order emerging on top. The Scots are the least concerned in Europe at 16%, with only London and Wales of the UK regions falling below 30%. Wallonia has the greatest degree of fear and loathing at 56%. Other salient points: the East of England gives the highest priority to the environment (17%) and Wales the least (4%). Spending power exercises the Scots at 12% but not Yorkshire-folk at 2%. Insert quips about regional stereotypes here. The Scots and the Welsh say none of the above at 15% and 18% respectively.
Partly because the questions fit the norms of French polling - 'purchasing power', 'your country's place in the world' rather than our own, or Belgian cliches, there is a fair degree of variation country to country.
Number one concern across the seven countries polled is 'purchasing power', with this leading in Belgium, France, Italy and the Netherlands. The Spanish are fretting about employment, the Germans social protection, and for us, the issue that dare not speak its name, at 37% - immigration. The only other issue to reach double figures is the French equivalent of law and order, at 22%.
Within the UK, immigration tips in at 50% for the over 50s, 43% in the South East and 51% in the West Midlands. London and Scotland are the only regions where immigration does not lead, with law and order emerging on top. The Scots are the least concerned in Europe at 16%, with only London and Wales of the UK regions falling below 30%. Wallonia has the greatest degree of fear and loathing at 56%. Other salient points: the East of England gives the highest priority to the environment (17%) and Wales the least (4%). Spending power exercises the Scots at 12% but not Yorkshire-folk at 2%. Insert quips about regional stereotypes here. The Scots and the Welsh say none of the above at 15% and 18% respectively.
Labels: surveys
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