In the News
| Published date | 01 September 2011 |
| Date | 01 September 2011 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-9066.2011.00062.x |
levels of cross-national political trust us-
ing an 11-point scale, from 2002 to 2009.
Countries with higher levels of general
distrust in their parliaments, legal systems
and police forces included the UK, Greece,
Hungary, Portugal and Poland.
Dr Lauren McLaren, an expert on public
opinion towards integration and immigra-
tion, said: ‘We’re seeing more and more
evidence that figures do not matter much
and that people generally misperceive and
overestimate the number of newcomers.
‘This suggests minor tweaking – for ex-
ample, the recent proposed introduction of
certain quotas – is unlikely to make much
difference to perceptions of immigration.
‘For instance, most people seem perfectly
aware that the proposed cap on immigra-
tion by skilled workers outside the Euro-
pean Union is a bit of a ruse. They wonder
Immigration Fears
Government efforts to cut the number of
foreigners entering the UK are highly un-
likely to reduce public hostility to immigra-
tion, according to new research.
Actual figures for the number of immi-
grants in a country have been shown to
have little if any bearing on the level of op-
position to immigration. Instead, resistance
to immigration – and with it a resultant loss
of trust in politics and politicians – is based
on perceptions rather than reality.
The findings emerged in a University
of Nottingham School of Politics and In-
ternational Relations report into the links
between immigration and political trust.
Researchers examined data from the
European Social Survey, which measures
In the News
what impact that can really have when
workers from other EU countries cannot
be restricted.
‘People are generally aware that the effect
will be small. Such proposed quotas could
therefore be seen as an attempt to trick the
public, which could potentially contribute
to growing cynicism about governments
and politicians.’
Political Animals
Every year, millions of animals in the UK
endure unnecessary pain. Yet widespread
public concern for animal welfare is not
reflected in public policy research or
policy-making itself, according to a new
animal protection think tank endorsed by
the PSA.
Actual numbers of people coming to live in the UK have little bearing on opposition to immigration
Corbis
2Political Insight
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