Euro-MP Condemns New Hostility to EU Neighbours

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Mar 2001

Diana Wallis, Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for Yorkshire and the Humber, has reacted to the findings of a study published today which marks Britain out as becoming increasingly hostile to our EU neighbours.

The study, produced by the advertising firm Young and Rubicam, rates the amount of respect that citizens of EU nations have for others around the world. It shows that those questioned in the UK have lost respect for every other nation in the survey except China, since the last poll was carried out ten years ago.

After the UK itself, Brits have most respect for America (94%) and Australia (92%). Respect for Germany is lagging way behind other EU nations and even China, at just 41%. Meanwhile, both the French and the Germans have increased their respect for almost every other country in the survey.

The report suggests that a population's dislike of other nations often stems from a low esteem of one's own country, and a sense of isolationism. Diana Wallis MEP commented:

"The growing strength of feeling against other European countries is very marked in Britain, and these figures confirm the trend. It is extremely worrying that while the rest of Europe is embracing growth and cooperation, public opinion in the UK is heading the other way.

"In the present climate, with William Hague's Tories taking an ever more anti-European line, and Tory MP John Townend recently making a speech that appeared to breach rules set down by the Commission for Racial Equality.

"Those of us who know that being a major player in Europe is best for Britain will have to fight hard to counter this worryingly isolationist trend."

A copy of the study can be obtained from Young and Rubicam on 0207 383 5322. www.yr.com