No blitz spirit in modern day britain ‘every man for himself’

There have been reports of many people rallying together in a demonstration of community amid crisis. This has led some to believe there is a resurgence of the Blitz Spirit from World War

Two, where many showed resilience in the face of danger. However, undoubtedly, the issue has divided opinion, with some refuting the idea of any Blitz Spirit altogether. And an Express.co.uk

 poll has revealed the majority of respondents believe a Blitz Spirit in Britain is a thing of the past. Readers were asked ‘Do you think the UK has got Blitz Spirit’? and the results were

clear. Out of the 3,532 people who answered the poll, 67 percent (2,322) of people said there was no longer any Blitz Spirit in Britain. This was compared to the 31 percent (1,134) who said

the Blitz Spirit had endured throughout the country. However, two percent of respondents (76) said they were unsure. The poll ran from 7am on March 21, until 9am on March 22. And many had a

lot to say about Britain’s response to the coronavirus. One Express.co.uk reader wrote: “Don’t make us laugh! “I was born in early WW2, and remember the Blitz Spirit. Today’s selfish

generation wouldn’t understand what it meant. READ MORE: CORONAVIRUS SCHOOL CLOSURES: BRITONS PUZZLED OVER 'KEY WORKERS' “It’s every man for himself as has been proven, and will be

proved again when things get harder.” And one suggested there was no such thing as the ‘Blitz Spirit’ in the first place. They said: “The reason there was no panic buying in WW2 was not due

to an overwhelming sense of community and an altruistic spirit, it was due to rationing. “Rationing was introduced solely because the Government knew it was necessary, and it was deemed

necessary to continue it until 1954 because of shortages.” But for some, the Blitz Spirit was indeed at work in their local communities, with small acts of kindness seemingly going a long

way. One wrote: “Whilst there are VERY selfish people around, there are also many WONDERFUL people who go out of their way to help others. “I have had neighbours, even people I don’t know,

putting notes through my door, phoning, offering to help shop, collect medicines and walk my dog if necessary. “My family have got food for me, phone me often, endless people stop and chat

from a distance when I am out with my lovely dog. “I do think there is on the whole a Blitz Spirit, well, where I live anyway.” Another said: “It is apparent in our elder generation. “I was

not born until 1952, but I do have the British Bulldog Spirit and I feel it WILL come back.” And one reader recounted a personal story of what they believed to be a demonstration of the

Blitz Spirit in their local area. They said: “We seem to have a good deal of the Blitz Spirit where I live. Local groups have already set up, and leafleted, every house in the town offering

to make deliveries to those at risk or in isolation. “I think we have an opportunity to really show our younger generations how important community spirit is.” During the Second World War,

the idea of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ served as a substantial part of the war effort on UK soil. Whilst soldiers fought abroad, many tried to keep up morale in Britain amid the bombing and

attacks experienced in the Blitzkrieg. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has likened Britain’s response to that of a “wartime government” stating the virus can be “sent packing” within the next

12 weeks. And Chancellor Rishi Sunak has remarked that “never in peacetime” had the UK faced “an economic fight such as this one”.