Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Study shows Gen Z's growing acceptance of authoritarianism in UK

The report highlights that 52 per cent of those aged 13 to 27 believe the UK would be a better place if a strong leader governed without the need for elections or parliament.

gen-z-getty

On media trust, 58 per cent of Gen Z respondents viewed social media posts from friends as equally or more trustworthy than traditional journalism. (Representational image: Getty)

A RECENT study has revealed growing support for authoritarianism among Generation Z in the UK, with more than half favouring a strong leader over parliamentary democracy.

Conducted by the polling company Craft, the findings are part of Channel 4's report, Gen Z: Trends, Truth, and Trust, based on responses from 3,000 adults across all age groups.


The report highlights that 52 per cent of those aged 13 to 27 believe the UK would be a better place if a strong leader governed without the need for elections or parliament. Additionally, 33 per cent of Gen Z respondents said the country would benefit from military rule.

The survey also revealed that 47 per cent of Gen Z think society needs radical change through revolution, compared to 33 per cent of those aged 45 to 65.

A significant gender divide was noted, with 45 per cent of male respondents from Gen Z feeling that efforts to promote women’s equality have led to discrimination against men.

A similar proportion agreed that gender equality measures had gone far enough.

On media trust, 58 per cent of Gen Z respondents viewed social media posts from friends as equally or more trustworthy than traditional journalism.

Influencers such as Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson were found to command similar levels of trust among 42 per cent of male respondents.

Participants expressed a range of perspectives. A 25-year-old from Cornwall said he felt targeted as a “regular straight white man,” suggesting the pendulum of cultural advantage had swung too far.

An 18-year-old from Hertfordshire noted the growing appeal of alternative narratives, saying, “The people we watch propagate the idea that the West is a falling civilisation.”

Channel 4’s chief executive, Alex Mahon, described Gen Z as both the most liberal and authoritarian generation. She highlighted their media savviness and exposure to polarising social media, which has contributed to societal tensions and disengagement from democracy.

Channel 4 also reported a 50 per cent increase in consumption of its content online, with 1.8 billion views across its platforms, reflecting a growing demand for impartial news.

More For You

Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Polls show most Britons back assisted dying, with supporters calling for the law to reflect public opinion.

Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard

Eastern Eye

THE proposed new assisted dying law for terminally ill people will be amended to remove the requirement that a high court judge sign off on each case, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said on Tuesday (11).

Opponents of assisted dying said the change would weaken the safeguards around protecting vulnerable people from being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives.

Keep ReadingShow less
London business district
A general view shows the London's financial district from an office window in Canary Wharf. (Photo: Getty Images)

Economy grows 0.1 per cent in fourth quarter, defying expectations

THE UK economy expanded by 0.1 per cent in the final quarter of 2024, contrary to forecasts of a contraction, according to official data released on Thursday.

The growth, supported by a stronger-than-expected 0.4 per cent rise in December, offers some relief to chancellor Rachel Reeves as she navigates broader economic challenges.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)

Modi looks to rebuild ties with Trump on US visit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States this week, aiming to reconnect with president Donald Trump as he moves to smooth trade ties by offering quick tariff concessions.

Modi, who had cultivated a close relationship with Trump during his first term, is looking to avoid trade tensions with the second-term president.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi meets Vance, family in Paris

Narendra Modi in a group picture with US vice president JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance and their children Ewan and Vivek, at Elysee Palace in Paris. (ANI Photo)

Modi meets Vance, family in Paris

US vice president JD Vance and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi spoke on Tuesday (11) about how the US can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in US nuclear technology, the White House said.

The meeting between Vance and Modi in Paris, where they were both attending an artificial intelligence summit, came ahead of the prime minister's US visit later this week in which topics like trade, investment, technology and immigration are expected to be discussed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ed-Miliband-India

Miliband said his meetings with Indian officials reinforced the commitment to work together in key areas, including grid modernisation, offshore wind, and industrial decarbonisation.

Exclusive: UK-India energy partnership strengthens as Miliband backs clean transition

BRITAIN sees India as a “crucial partner” as both countries aim to deepen their cooperation on clean energy, with a focus on renewables and climate action, UK secretary of state for energy security and net zero, Ed Miliband, said.

On a visit to India this week, Miliband highlighted India’s ambitious renewable energy targets and its commitment to achieving net zero by 2070.

Keep ReadingShow less