British Social Attitudes 26th report published today

At this time of year we are traditionally informed by the British Social Attitudes people that there is no demand for an English Parliament (see last year's 25th Report).

Breaking with over a decade of tradition, it would appear that they have decided not to publish that data this year. The 26th British Social Attitudes Report does not contain the usual data that is used by constitutional experts and politicians to claim that there is 'no demand for an English parliament'.

What the press release does tell us is that Britain is a country drifting to the right, seemingly like every country in Europe.

Unfortunately we are less relaxed about drugs and fewer people believe that it is their civic duty to vote.

Fortunately fewer of us are in favour raising taxes and employing redistributive policies to help the poor (after ten years of New Labour failure, £billions wasted, and a burgeoning underclass), we are more tolerant of homosexual relationships, and for the first time since 1991 the number of people who identify as Labour supporters do not form the plurality (32% of people identified themselves as Conservative compared with 27% as Labour).

Britain in 2010: More tolerant, more Conservative, but less likely to vote