Half of Brits would not fight for UK under any circumstances amid alarm at potential war with Russia

While pollster Ipsos found strong backing for increased defence spending, some 48% said they would not take up arms under any circumstances. The figure is unchanged since April 2025, despite calls for a “national conversation” on defence and rising concern about the threat from countries including Russia, China and Iran. Just 36% said there were circumstances in which they would fight, virtually the same as the 35% who said the same thing last year. Hamish Mundell, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said there were questions about “Britain’s willingness to fight and make sacrifices”, but added the…