Public Perceptions of UK Intelligence: Still in the Dark?

Lomas, Daniel W B; Ward, Stephen

Abstract

Opinion polling of public attitudes on the UK’s intelligence agencies reveals that Britons are often still ambivalent around issues of agency activity and powers despite increasing engagement and outreach activity. Drawing parallels with similar polling in North America and Europe, this article suggests that while public support for national agencies remains relatively strong, with high levels of ‘trust’, views on what intelligence agencies do – and who ‘does intelligence’ – remain deeply wedded to James Bond-like clichés. Daniel W B Lomas and Stephen Ward argue that, while popular perceptions of intelligence have traditionally offered cover and even increased awareness of agencies such as the Secret Intelligence Service, the lack of public awareness is dangerous as agencies build a ‘licence to operate’ in the 21 st century.

Citation

Lomas, D. W. B., & Ward, S. (2022). Public Perceptions of UK Intelligence: Still in the Dark?. RUSI Journal, 167(2), 10-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/03071847.2022.2090426

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 9, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 29, 2022
• Publication Date: Feb 23, 2022
• Deposit Date: Oct 1, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 2, 2024
• Journal: The RUSI Journal
• Print ISSN: 0307-1847
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-0378
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 167
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 10-22
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03071847.2022.2090426
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rusi20; Received: 2022-04-04; Revised: 2022-05-06; Accepted: 2022-05-09; Published: 2022-06-29