Nine in ten people accept that Britain is now a multicultural country and 70% are in favour of multiculturalism, according to a recent poll.
Among young adults, the proportion who believe that multiculturalism is a good thing rises to 82% of 18 to 24 year olds and 85% of 25 to 34 year olds.
The figures come from a nationally representative poll of 1,002 people commissioned by Lord Ashcroft, the former Conservative Party deputy chairman.
In a poll of 1,035 black, Asian and minority ethnic voters carried out at the same time, 87% said Britain has become a multicultural country and 91% approved of multiculturalism.
The poll results were published in April to coincide with the 45th anniversary of Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘rivers of blood’ speech, in which the then Conservative MP warned of what he saw as the dangers of immigration.
They show that 89% of Liberal Democrats, 76% of Labour supporters and 71% of Conservatives support multiculturalism.
59% of black, Asian and minority ethnic respondents and 55% of the national sample agreed with the statement “my children’s life will be better than mine.”
Asked about the statement “if you work hard, it is possible to be very successful in Britain no matter what your background,” 59% of the general population and 65% of black, Asian and minority ethnic voters agreed.
The figure was especially high among Hindus (73%), Sikhs (70%) and Muslims (68%).
