Polite, yes; productive, well a poll of Britons

September 12, 1980

A poll published by The Times of London showed that a majority of Britons think their workmanship is worse than it was 25 years ago, the government is less efficient than others, and the nation will not beat the unemployment problem. Nearly 75 percent said union power hinders industrial productivity and only 6 percent thought Britain boasts a good record on class divisions and snobbery.

Queen Elizabeth II, however, came away with her populatiry intact. Only 10 percent favored the replacement of the monarch by a president, while 85 percent disapproved of the idea.

The police were rates "good" by 71 percent, and 54 percent said Britons are more polite than foreigners.