Thread by @JohnRentoul

After a gap while I did a long thread on my bookcase

https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/1275073762312904709

I have been prompted to resume the Gallup poll thread

Jan 1950: “Apart from children, does anyone in your home pray regularly?”
Yes 48%
No 41%
Don’t know 11%

Jan 1950: “Do you, personally, believe in prayer?”
Yes 69%
No 19%
Don’t know 12%

Election in Feb 1950 cut Labour majority from 146 to 5...

Mar 1950: “What do you think is the wisest thing for the Labour govt to do at the present time – to go along quietly, agreeing with the Opposition as far as possible, or to continue its Socialist (working class) policy?”
Agreeing 42%
Own policy 40%
Don’t know 18%

Mar 1950: “Did you see any television shows yesterday?”
Yes, at home 4%
Yes, elsewhere 3%
No 93%

May 1950: “Do you think that the govt should declare an amnesty to (forgive) all wartime deserters?”
Yes 57%
No 29%
Don’t know 14%

May 1950: “On the whole, do you approve or disapprove of Mr Attlee as prime minister?”
Approve 50%
Disapprove 39%
Don’t know 11%

May 1950: “On the whole are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the govt’s record to date?”
Satisfied 41%
Dissatisfied 49%
Don’t know 10%

May 1950: “Would you approve or disapprove if Mr Attlee formed a coalition, with members of all parties in the govt?”
Approve 43%
Disapprove 37%
Don’t know 20%

May 1950: “Do (did) you/your wife make a habit of singing to your small children?”
Yes 73%
No 27%

Second question about European integration, Jun 1950: “Have you heard of the Schuman plan to pool the steel and coal industries of Western Europe, including Britain?”
Yes 77%
No 17%
Don’t know 6%

Of those saying “Yes”: “Do you think that Britain should or should not join the pool?”
Should 23%
Should not 24%
Don’t know 30%

The first question about European integration was this one the previous year

https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/1269733750130249729

Jun 1950, of those who work: “Do you get satisfaction out of your work?”
Yes 71%
No 16%
Don’t know 13%

Exactly the same proportions when asked, of housewives: “Do you get satisfaction out of your housework?”
Yes 71%
No 16%
Don’t know 13%

Aug 1950: “Do you agree or disagree with the government’s increased spending on defence?” [Korean war started in Jun]
Agree 78%
Disagree 14%
Don’t know 8%

“Do you agree or disagree that there will have to be cuts in our standard of living through this increased spending?”
Agree 61%
Disagree 23%
Don’t know 16%

Oct 1950: “Do you approve or disapprove of sending British troops to fight in Korea?”
Approve 63%
Disapprove 31%
Don’t know 6%

Oct 1950: “Do you think that under the National Health Scheme the attention you get from your doctor is better, worse, or about the same as you get as a private or panel patient?”
Same 48%
Worse 21%
Better 14%
Haven’t attended as a private patient 12%
Don’t know 5%

(Somewhat contrary to the foundation myth of the national religion)

Dec 1950: “Have you thought of visiting the Festival of Britain in London next year?”
Yes 44%
No 56%

Dec 1950: “When things aren’t going too well for you, what do you do to cheer yourself up?”
Go to the pictures 13%
Have a drink 12%
Go out to/with friends 8%
Carry on/try to forget 8%
Other; no opinion 59%