A new and refreshingly random opinion survey has offered a fascinating glimpse into the British public's private views on everything from family finances to personal lifestyle choices. The poll, conducted by More in Common for Channel 5, moves beyond typical political questions to explore the "every little thing" that occupies our minds.
Curtain-Twitching Questions Reveal Divided Opinions
The survey posed a series of questions that tap into everyday judgments and social norms. On the topic of grandparents providing childcare, the results were split: a third of respondents believe grandparents should be paid for looking after their grandchildren. This leaves a significant majority of nearly two-thirds who disagree with the idea.
Another finding focused on adult children living at home, with two-thirds of people believing they should pay rent to their parents. The columnist Zoe Williams, reflecting on the poll, suggested the nuance of family finances and relationships might be lost in such a blunt question.
Weight-Loss Jabs, Wills, and Age Limits
The poll also delved into health and ethical perceptions. It found that people would be willing to use weight-loss jabs if they were freely available on the NHS, provided they wanted to lose weight. However, over a third of respondents considered using such medication to be "cheating".
On matters of inheritance, a sizeable majority of nearly two-thirds think wills should always be divided equally between children. Furthermore, the public showed a tendency to police life stages: around a third believe there is an age cut-off for having a baby (45 for women, 53 for men), and nearly two-thirds think elderly drivers should be required to retake their driving test.
A Weirder, Richer Snapshot of British Life
Williams argues that the true value of this poll lies in its departure from the norm. Instead of focusing on vindictive questions about refugees or the costs of net zero, it captures the richer and weirder interior lives of the public. These curtain-twitching and random questions reveal more about societal attitudes than standard political polling often does.
The columnist suggests embracing this approach further, proposing cheerful and random topics for future surveys, from the joy of the colour yellow to favourite Italian words. This poll serves as a unique barometer of the unspoken rules and judgments that shape everyday British life.
