Thread by @JohnRentoul

The first Q asked by a Gallup poll in Great Britain, Jan 1937: “Do you consider that the grounds of divorce should be made easier?” Yes 58%, No 42%

I found 2nd Q surprising as well: “Do you consider that doctors should be given power to end the life of a person incurably ill?” Yes 69%, No 31%

By May 1937 it’s already bleak: “If another major European war breaks out, do you think Great Britain will be drawn into it?” Yes 83%, No 17%

Cheered this one in June 1937: “Should children have homework to do at the end of the school day?” Yes 21%, No 79%

Gallup, GB, Nov 1937: “Do you exercise to keep fit?” Yes 44%, No 56%

Asked of those who said yes: “What form of exercise do you take?” Hiking 24%, Games 52%, Physical jerks 24%

Next Q! “If you had to choose between Fascism and Communism, which would you choose?” Fascism 26%, Communism 28%, “no opinion” 46%

Gallup, GB, Dec 1937: “Have you ever travelled in an aeroplane?” Yes 13%, No 87%

Asked of those who said no: “Would you care to?” Yes 58%, No 42%

Striking Q, Gallup, GB, Feb 1938: “What book of all you have read impressed you most?” Of 43% who named a book, the Bible came top, 16% (of 43%, so 7%), followed by The Citadel, 3%, and Sorrell and Son 2%

The Citadel, novel by AJ Cronin, pub 1937, about injustices of medical prof, credited with inspiring founding of NHS; Sorrell and Son, 1925 novel by Warwick Deeping about captain whose wife leaves him after he returns from the war & who brings up his son alone

Nov 1938: “Should the death penalty be abolished?” Yes 45%, No 55% (excl no opinion 11%)

Feb 1939: “Which statement comes nearest to your view of Mr Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement?”
It will ultimately lead to enduring peace in Europe 28%
It will keep us out of war until we have time to rearm 46%
It brings war nearer by whetting the appetites of the dictators 24%

Another question the same month: “Do you smoke?” Yes 59%, No 41% (Of men, 73% smoked cigarettes, 40% a pipe, 2% cigars; 100% of women smokers smoked cigarettes)

Apr 1939: “Have you a flower or vegetable garden?” Yes 58%, No 42%

Also Apr 1939: “Is the British govt right in giving military guarantees to preserve the independence of small European nations?” Yes 72%, No 14%, No opinion 14%

May 1939: “Are you in favour of Mr Winston Churchill being invited to join the cabinet?” Yes 56%, No 26%, No opinion 18%

July 1939: “If Germany and Poland go to war over Danzig, should we fulfil our pledge to fight on Poland’s side?” Yes 76%, No 13%, No opinion 11%

July 1939: “Should refugees be allowed to enter Great Britain?” Yes 70%, No 26%, No opinion 4%

Sep 1939: “How much longer do you think the war will last?”
Up to a year 38%
1½ years 44%
1½ to 2 years 22%
2½ to 3 years 22%
Indefinite 14%
(Respondents seem to have been allowed to choose more than one!)

“Up to a year” is the sum of “6 months” 16%, “7-11 months” 10%, “1 year” 12%