BRITAIN IN TRANSITION - THE INTERREGNUM
2020 and 2021 have been two of the most disruptive of years for decades. More than just the school playground back-and-forth of politics, or the distraction of wars in far-off places, these have been the years when “stuff” has landed squarely on Britain’s own shores. First Brexit and then COVID have driven wedges into what was previously considered a stable, settled and united kingdom.
Britain has become a nation in transition. Certainties that have held for decades are either falling apart or being stressed and questioned.
The government finds it necessary to hail engraving a crown on a pint glass as a “victory for Brexit”, when they were never prevented from doing so by anyone. Illegal immigration shows no sign of coming under control or lessening. New rules limiting legal immigration have exacerbated labour shortages across the board. Formerly reliable supply chains are failing.
Meanwhile, COVID has both frightened and wearied people in almost equal measure. There was an initial ‘war time’ spirit that encouraged cooperation with restrictions. This has now degraded into a sense of resignation and, in some cases, an active resentment and refusal to comply.
Understanding this period and its contribution to the dynamics of a psycho-social cultural change is key to anticipating the impact of future trends and forces on British values.
During this time, CDSM has conducted a number of surveys of the British population to look for any change in Values and attitudes. In its latest British Values Survey (2000 representative adults aged 16-85), a series of new psychological Attributes were studied, each of which has existential implications for the individual.
This is a summary of them:
| SEARCHING | Trying to find my life's purpose. |
| MEANINGFUL LIFE | Having a clear sense of life-purpose. |
| SELF-CRITICAL | Tendency to 'beat oneself up' over mistakes. |
| GRIT | Persistence in the face of adversity. |
| STUCK | Stuck in negative thoughts. |
| REASON | Thinking about why I think and do as I do. |
| GRATITUDE | Thankful for so much in life. |
| AMBITION | Wanting to achieve something of lasting importance. |
| WORLDLY (formerly called PERMISSIVE) | Belief that solid-reality makes better people. |
| HONEST (formerly called TRUST) | Honesty as a basis for life. |
Welcome to Britain’s new Interregnum!