London Residents Express Stronger Attachment to Their City’s Diversity Than to England as a Whole in New Survey

If you live in London, chances are you might feel more loyal to the city itself than to England as a whole.

That’s the big takeaway from a recent YouGov poll, which uncovered just how divided feelings of identity and attachment are across the UK—especially in the capital.

London’s Unique Identity: Diversity and Multiculturalism

The survey revealed that only 29% of Londoners say they feel a “very strong attachment” to England. Meanwhile, 38% feel a stronger bond with London itself.

What really makes London stand out, according to nearly a third of residents, is its incredible diversity and multicultural makeup.

Interestingly, fewer people point to London’s historical landmarks or even the famous London Underground as the city’s defining features.

Only 11% mentioned its history, and just 8% highlighted the Tube, despite it being the oldest subway network in the world.

The Bigger Picture: National Identity in a Time of Change

These findings come at a time when debates over migration and national identity are heating up in the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently stirred controversy by warning that Britain could become an “island of strangers” without tighter immigration controls.

His comments echoed fears similar to those in Enoch Powell’s infamous 1968 “Rivers of Blood” speech, though Downing Street insisted the two were not comparable.

A separate poll showed that over half the population agreed with Starmer’s concerns, and half thought his language was acceptable.

Still, there’s widespread skepticism about whether the government will actually reduce immigration.

Regional Pride Outside London: Where People Feel Most Connected

While Londoners are more attached to their city than their country, people elsewhere in the UK tend to feel a stronger attachment to England or their own region.

In places like the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, and South-East England, people are more likely to say they feel very connected to England overall.

In fact, the North East tops the list for regional pride, with 48% saying they feel a “very strong” connection to their region.

What Makes Regions Special? Varied Answers Across the UK

When asked what made their area unique, people gave all kinds of answers.

In the North East and North West, about one in five said friendliness or a warm community spirit was their region’s standout trait.

Others highlighted natural beauty like rolling hills or picturesque countryside.

In the South West, marine features like beaches and coastlines were what locals treasured most, with nearly a quarter pointing to the sea as the region’s defining characteristic.

Meanwhile, in Yorkshire and the Humber, Scotland, and Wales, natural landscapes and countryside were the top features people said made their region special.

Not Everyone Sees Their Region as Unique

Despite strong feelings in many areas, some people struggled to name anything distinctive about where they live.

About 6% of people in London, the North East, and the South West said their region had no particular uniqueness at all.

Regional Pride Runs High — Except in Some Places

Across the UK, most people believe their region is the best place to live.

Over 80% of people in the South West think their area is “a lot better” than anywhere else.

That kind of confidence was also seen in Scotland, though to a lesser degree (33%).

However, satisfaction was much lower in the East and West Midlands, where only around 7% felt their region was the best place to live.

London’s Popularity Is Waning

In London, enthusiasm is cooling off, with almost a third of residents admitting they think the city is the worst place to live in the UK — whether just a little or a lot.

What’s Behind These Changing Attitudes?

These shifting views come after comments from shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick last year, who warned that mass immigration and “woke culture” might be weakening England’s national identity.

As a former immigration minister, Jenrick expressed concern that the social bonds holding the nation together were starting to fray, fueled by both migration and attitudes from the so-called metropolitan elite toward English identity.