Broadcaster Carole Malone has issued a stark warning to younger generations, claiming that many may be unprepared for the possibility of future conflict, as awareness of VE Day continues to decline among Gen Z.
Speaking on GB News, Malone criticised what she called a “pampered” and “spoilt” generation for failing to grasp the importance of Victory in Europe Day, which marks the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
“It’s such a lovely, special day today, isn’t it?” Malone said during her appearance. “It really is. We’ve got to be upbeat because it’s such an important celebration. I just wonder how many younger people really understand it. They don’t. They just don’t get it.”
She added: “I think they should get it, because that was a time when this country was at its very best. People pulled together. We’ve been talking about that poll saying half of Brits wouldn’t fight for their country anymore. I think they’re so pampered, so spoiled, they don’t realise they might have to one day. There may not be a choice.”
Malone’s comments come in response to a YouGov survey revealing troubling statistics about young Britons’ willingness to defend their country. While 66% of Britons say they know a fair amount or more about World War II, only 11% of Gen Z respondents said they would fight for Britain. Alarmingly, 41% said there were no circumstances under which they would take up arms.
This marks a significant decline compared to 2004, when 22% of young people said they would fight for Britain, and 57% said they would if they agreed with the reasons for war.
Among those expressing disillusionment with the idea of military service is Summer Nesbeth, a 23-year-old journalism student and model from Nottingham.
“Why would I help you, if you don’t want to really help me, and half the time you want to get rid of me?” she said, referencing experiences with systemic racism, including being frequently stopped and searched in shops.
“We don’t learn about black history, but we were built on racism,” Nesbeth added.
Charlie Sawyer, 25, echoed similar views: “If you’re not willing to recognise how as a society we still contribute to systemic racism, casual racism, I don’t think that there’s going to be any progress there.”
The debate over patriotism, remembrance, and modern identity continues to expose deep generational and cultural divides in Britain—especially as events like VE Day risk fading into obscurity for the younger population.
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