Britons think UK is viewed as ‘weak’ by rest of world, poll shows

Britons believe the UK is viewed as “weak” and a “soft touch” by people abroad, according to a leading pollster who found that just one in four think the UK is seen in a positive light.

The new poll, from More in Common and Save the Children, shared exclusively with The Independent, found that three out of four Britons (75 per cent) say that the UK’s international perception matters.

“Britons are not little Englanders,” said Luke Tryl, director of More In Common. “They care about how our country is seen on the world stage, even if only a quarter think we’re seen positively right now.”

Reform voters were most likely to believe the UK was perceived negatively abroad, while Green Party voters were the least likely to say the UK is viewed in a positive light.

Meanwhile, Labour voters were the only group to say the UK is more likely to be viewed positively (43 per cent) than negatively (33 per cent).

Respondents also described the UK’s image as “weak” and “soft touch”, at a time of geopolitical insecurity.

“In focus groups Britons often share a sense that the UK’s power has diminished in recent years and that we no longer lead on the world stage,” Mr Tryl told The Independent.

“Britons care about how our country is seen on the world stage and want to see the UK leading the way, rather than retreating.“

Sir Keir Starmer has sought to bolster his reputation as a global statesman since coming to power and has played a key role in uniting world leaders on the war in Ukraine. He has been a leading member of the “coalition of the willing” and played a key role in thawing relations between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump after their public spat at the White House in February.

Over half (61 per cent) of those polled want the UK to play a large role in international affairs, at a time of multiple geopolitical crises.

But earlier this year, the prime minister slashed the global aid budget to just 0.3 per cent of gross national income – its lowest level in 25 years – in order to fund an increased defence spend.

“The British public are telling us that they want the UK to have an outward-facing global role,” said Moazzam Malik, chief executive of Save the Children UK.

“They understand that their future prosperity and security is tied to the rest of the world. As we debate and reshape our country’s role on the world stage, I hope political leaders listen carefully.”

Above all, building UK security is considered the top priority for Britons, the poll shows. This is followed by creating strong investments, improving global health and preventing pandemics.

Britons also say it is important for the UK to play a role in the fight against global poverty .

An independent report earlier this year found that direct funding to developing countries fell from £5.9bn in 2019 to just £2.7bn in 2023 – making up a quarter of the UK’s aid spend.

The majority (75 per cent) of Brits also believe it is important for the UK to play a role in tackling the climate crisis and preserving nature around the world.

As the world gears up for COP30 in November, experts have warned that the key 1.5C global warming target is likely to be exceeded – and aid cuts by the US mean that poorer countries have less money to adapt to climate change.

“Building trust and partnership with other countries is vital,” said Mr Malik.

“As we move to a multi-polar world, this must now be a moment to reflect and to rebuild our commitment to international cooperation.”

Gatwick travel chaos after airport station evacuated

Gatwick airport station has been evacuated due to concerns of overcrowding, amid train delays of up to two hours.

Several incidents across the Southern Railway have sparked travel chaos across the network. The operator said two people were hit by a train, one in the Gatwick airport area at around 10.30am on Monday, and another between Luton and St Albans City at around 9.15am. Emergency services attended the scene of both incidents.

Trains between Luton and London St Pancras International, and through Gatwick airport, are expected to be severely delayed, cancelled or revised. Major disruption across the network is expected until the end of the day.

Police were called to Three Bridges railway station near Gatwick airport following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner,” the British Transport Police said in a statement.

They were also called to the line near St Albans railway station where another person was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances leading up to their death.

A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services, said: “We’re doing everything we can to get people back on the move, working with colleagues at Network Rail and the British Transport Police, and arranging taxis and ticket acceptance on local buses.

“Passengers are being advised to postpone their travel where possible as the main line between London and Brighton is shut.”

Southern services between Brighton, Gatwick airport, East Croydon and London have been cancelled or severely delayed, and Thameslink and Gatwick Express services will not run until further notice.

Southern Railway said: “If you are travelling now, your journey will take at least 120 minutes longer than usual to complete and we cannot guarantee that you will be able to reach your destination.”

Passengers travelling to the airport have been advised to allow more time for their journey, and those who remain on board a train that has come to a standstill have been told not to leave the train unless directed to do so. “We know where you are and we are working to get you on the move again shortly,” it added.

Rail replacement buses have been requested to run a shuttle service connecting routes between Luton and Bedford, Stevenage and St Neots and further connections towards London. This has not yet been confirmed.

Southern Railway said it first received reports of someone being hit between London and Bedford, and was soon alerted to the second incident between Haywards Heath and Gatwick airport.

“Staff are working with Network Rail and the emergency services to deal with these incidents as sensitively, quickly and safely as possible,” it said.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you

Trump considers supplying Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles, says JD Vance

Donald Trump is considering Ukraine’s request to obtain long-range Tomahawk missiles in an effort to push back against Russia, US vice president JD Vance has said.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky asked the US to sell Tomahawks to European nations that would send them to Ukraine, Vance said on Fox News on Sunday, adding that Trump would make the “final decision” on the deal.

Trump has long denied Ukraine’s requests for the use of long-range missiles in the past, but has recently grown frustrated with Vladimir Putin’s refusal to reach a peace deal.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of 2,500km, which would put Moscow in range of Ukraine’s arsenal. The Kremlin has said it is monitoring the potential sale.

The move comes at a time where more Nato nations are raising the alarm over violations in their airspace from Russia, with Denmark ordering a ban on civil drone flights ahead of two European summits this week after unexplained drones were spotted near military sites over the weekend.

Zelensky has also offered his congratulations to Moldova’s president after the pro-EU ruling party managed to retain its governing status in an election allegedly rife with Russian interference.

I watched shoplifters empty entire shelves in Boots – making mugs out of us

It started with that feeling that something was off. A slight crackle in the air, worried looks, and people scuttling away. Then a slightly raised voice from a security guard asking – yes, asking – two shoplifters to stop what they were doing.

Well, when I say shoplifters, I’m being kind. This was a robbery. A full daylight robbery that happened just after lunchtime at a small Boots store in the heart of the City. Barely covering their faces, two early twentysomething blokes were calmly clearing the shelves of hundreds of products in the cosmetics aisle. They’d come equipped too: two large H&M bags, which they were happily filling, leaving the shelves entirely empty as everyone watched on, trying to believe their own eyes.

Next to me was a young American. Aghast, she could hardly get her words out. “Wait, what? They are just robbing the store? Are they just taking things? What is happening? Is this really happening?”

And yes, it really was – right in front of us, with no one apparently doing one thing about it. This wasn’t someone at the self-service till not scanning a few items. This was self-service in its realest sense, as we stood slack-jawed and frozen to the shop floor (I counted at least three sales assistants) watching the men helping themselves to whatever they liked.

A day later, there was a headline saying that one of Britain’s most prolific shoplifters had been banned from every Boots store in the UK for 10 years after he was jailed for stealing £107,000 worth of goods. Liam Hutchinson was jailed after committing a total of 99 shoplifting offences between May and August 2025, which involved grabbing several large quantities of electrical items and razors, and placing them in a bag.

The robbery I witnessed only stopped when one of the lads started to get anxious (bored?) that they were taking too long. After a few more swipes and a paper H&M bag so full I couldn’t believe it didn’t rip, they eventually calmly sauntered out of the shop with their swag and disappeared into the Underground station next door. That’s when the manager finally popped up like Mr Benn, apparently completely unfussed. “It happens all the time,” he shrugged. “What can we do?”

The shaken-up security guard was left to call the police while the other staff milled about, also shrugging their shoulders and rolling their eyes and tutting. “We can’t touch them,” they said, over and over again.

I get it. The probably-just-above-minimum-wage security guard isn’t paid enough to risk being punched or stabbed, and the peculiarities of our topsy-turvy legal system mean he’d risk being accused of assault if he did touch them. (Go figure?) But, I asked, couldn’t one of the other staff at least have called the police while it was happening? Why leave it to after the event? Another shrugged: “It just happens all the time.”

But if it does happen “all the time”, shouldn’t there be a protocol beyond just idly standing by and watching it happen? I don’t know – a really loud alarm button, a system for calling the police. At the very least, maybe just move the aisle of the most expensive creams in the shop away from the door?

Because while they “can’t do anything”, the rest of us are paying the price. I looked down at my own basket: three packets of expensive vitamins. How much had they been marked up to help offset these “all the time” robberies? Retailers report that shoplifting costs them over £2.2bn in 2023-24. As losses rise and they invest in theft deterrents such as more security guards, locked cabinets, or behind-counter displays for “hot product” items, what is the cost to the rest of us? And what is the point of paying a security guard if he can’t do anything?

So, I asked the manager: “I guess then, I can just walk out of here with these vitamins now and you’re saying that’s absolutely fine? You can’t stop me? Is that OK?” Another shrug. And it was then I realised the only thing stopping me was my own sense of what is right and wrong.

I didn’t walk out with my basket – but I decided not to buy the vitamins either. I just felt that honest customers like me were footing the bill for the audacity of daylight robbers and the apathy of shrugging, eye-rolling managers. By continuing as normal and pretending this was absolutely fine, I felt like I’d be adding to the problem, too.

Recounting the tale at my desk an hour later, similar stories came thick and fast. One colleague showed me a viral picture of a robbery in his local Tesco where the robbers took panels off the roof to escape with their stash in broad daylight.

Another told me she had once watched a woman fill an entire XL camping rucksack with frozen legs of lamb as a security guard looked on. Another recounted how in their local shop there was hardly anything left on the shelves any more, especially high-ticket items, which had literally now become “ticket” items, as there were only photos of products left on the shelves, with customers taking a slip to the counter if they wanted to buy them.

And it was affecting us not just financially, but in how it made us feel generally. A hard-to-pinpoint sense that something isn’t okay. A sort of knowing that lawlessness is happening all around us, leaving us with an unspoken feeling that something is breaking down. Normal rules and laws weren’t applying any more. And as more and more lads, kids, whoever, realise that… then what? As if to cement that unease, barely two hours later, another colleague WhatsApped me with news that, on his way home, he’d stood by and watched someone walk into an M&S garage shop and help himself to six to eight bottles of wine. “And no one did anything.”

While the Met Police report that arrests for anti-social behaviour are up by a third in London compared to the previous year, they also recognise there is a problem with prolific offenders, who come into stores and shoplift in bulk, clearing the shelves of high-value items.

In the US, stores like Walmart and Target are using AI-powered cameras at self-checkouts to flag suspicious behaviour (eg, an item not scanned). Smart tags and RFID chips track items taken from shelves. In South Korea, facial recognition can flag persistent offenders and link directly to payment systems. “Smart trolleys” automatically scan items as customers place them inside, reducing scope for “skip scanning”.

But the men I saw never intended to make it to the till – nor did the woman my friend saw stuffing frozen lamb into her rucksack. Meat products (steak, bacon, lamb) and baby formula are some of the most stolen items, a trend clearly tied to the cost of living crisis. In response, countries like Portugal and Finland are trialling social support schemes (eg food vouchers, charity partnerships) when theft spikes are linked to hardship. In the Netherlands, youth diversion programmes enrol first-time shoplifters in work or training instead of criminalising them, making a real effort to bring them into society, not push them apart.

Was this why the daylight robbers (I refuse to call them shoplifters) cleared the shelves in Boots in Moorgate that day? My hunch is that they were targeting the high-value face creams to sell at a market stall for a quick buck and the audacious way they went about it felt more about their confidence in getting away with it. Why not, when hapless security guards “can’t do anything”, and under-resourced police may not even turn up, and prosecutions often lead to nothing because the courts and jails are full.

It all contributes to a feeling that law and order is crumbling around us – exposing just how flimsy the social fabric keeping everything in check really is. And it feels very disconcerting.

Returning to the scene of the crime the following day, I could see the shelves were still sparse. Looking at the price of the items they took – around £30 to £40 each – I tried to cost up the value of their swag, and reflected on how sad and neglected this Boots looked. Suddenly, I became acutely aware of a security guard (a different one from the day before) clocking me. I wandered to the next aisle, distracted by mascaras and lip glosses, scrabbling to match them to the samples (they’re never in the right place). As I did this, the security guard closed in, almost on top of me, giving me an absolute death stare.

And it dawned on me: he now had me down as a shoplifter. Whereas the day before, a guard, and at least three members of staff, had calmly stood by as two thugs emptied hundreds of pounds worth of stock into bags and sauntered out, apparently, now I was not a potential paying customer, I was a potential thief. He was showing me who was boss. Feeling the heat of his stare, I felt so uncomfortable that I left the products. Again.

How have we got to the point where on the high street today only daylight robbers and shoplifters feel welcome? Answers on a postcard, please.

Colourful corals and crystalline seas: Thailand’s top sea life spots

What lies beneath the surface of the ocean has long fascinated us, transporting us to another world, and a different realm of the imagination. Shafts of sunlight pierce through shifting blue waters, scattering into golden beams which illuminate the rippling sand. Coral gardens bloom in vivid colours, from deep crimson to banana yellow, sapphire blue to neon orange, danced around by silvery schools of fish which move as one. Octopuses lurk shyly in rocky alcoves, while sleek rays glide silently across the seabed; jewel-bright clownfish weave through anemones, and a solitary turtle drifts with unhurried grace.

It’s a privilege to be allowed to observe marine life, and one of the best places to do so is in Thailand. From Koh Tao and Phi Phi to the Surin and Similan islands, Thailand has some of the world’s most breathtaking coral reefs, and that means some of the world’s best diving and snorkelling spots. Worried that by visiting these places, you’re contributing to the damage of the environment? Don’t be – the great news is that Thailand has many conservation and eco-friendly diving companies who work hard to rejuvenate coral and keep the seas clean.

Take Koh Tao, for example; widely renowned as one of the country’s premier diving and snorkelling locations – famed for its sea turtles, reef sharks and colourful fish and coral – is home to several diving schools. Among them is the highly-esteemed New Heaven Dive School, which has been operating on the island in the Gulf of Thailand since 1995, and is renowned for its commitment to preserving the local marine ecosystem. In 2007, it launched the award-winning New Heaven Reef Conservation Programme (NHRCP) to further its conservation efforts; they run various projects such as conducting surveys and collecting data to better understand the ecosystem and identify threats to its wellbeing, as well as raising awareness and educating locals and visitors alike.

This helps preserve the area’s magnificent marine life, such as the whale sharks which can often be seen at Chumphon Pinnacle – one of Koh Tao’s best dive sites – for decades to come. Some of the shallowest and most precious reef areas have been designated as ‘no boat zones’, while NHRCP also regularly co-ordinates clean-up initiatives enabling divers to help clear discarded ropes, nets and plastics which can be deadly for turtles, birds and other creatures which depend on the ocean for their survival. Another organisation which operates in Koh Tao is Big Blue Conservation, which encourages visitors to volunteer to help with their initiatives ranging from coral reef restoration and artificial reef projects, to beach clean-ups and taking a marine ecology course to learn more.

Other beautiful locations in which to observe sea life include the Phi Phi Islands,which form part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. With their dazzling beaches and sparkling seas, they’re one of the most scenic places in Thailand to dive and snorkel. There have been plans in place to reverse the trend of over-tourism here since before the pandemic, by limiting visitor numbers and encouraging more responsible tourism. The temporary closure of Phi Phi Leh to visitors between 2018 to 2022 has been positive news for marine life, with blacktip reef sharks spotted once more at Maya Bay, and the regrowth of coral reefs. This rejuvenation has been further encouraged by annual conservation closures of Maya Bay throughout August and September.

Then there’s the Similan Islands, an archipelago of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea, which are part of the protected Mu Ko Similan National Park. Accessible from either Khao Lak or Phuket, they offer the chance to see a fantastic range of sea life, including barracudas, leopard sharks, moray eels and sea turtles. Further north in the Andaman Sea, make time for the five Surin Islands. Here, snorkellers and divers are likely to see whale sharks amongst the angelfish and parrotfish at Richelieu Rock, which forms parts of the Mu Ko Surin National Park.

In short, Thailand’s waters and coral reefs are teeming with healthy marine life, thanks to the country’s various conservation companies and initiatives. The latter includes the ban on certain suncreams which contain ingredients which are harmful to reefs and marine life. When visiting the country, be sure to use reef-friendly suncream brands.

Look out, too, for Thailand’s Reduce, Refrain and Rescue campaign: Reduce aims to lower the impact of human activities, including stopping tourists from feeding fish and removing rubbish from reefs. Refrain enables the temporary closure of specific diving and snorkelling sites to minimise potential stress on the corals, and Rescue involves relocating some corals to more favourable environments and providing partial shade to shield them from excessive sunlight. And don’t hesitate to get involved, too; you could do anything from joining a coral restoration course with Black Turtle Dive to taking part in a shark workshop or undergoing citizen science research with the UK-registered charity, Shark Guardian. Together, and with your help, Thailand can conserve its most beautiful assets for years to come.

Find out more about ethical and sustainable travel options, and other ways to support local communities and protect the environment during your stay at Responsible Thailand

Starmer should have done more to tackle rise of Reform, Green Party leader claims

Zack Polanski hopes the contrast could not be more stark. As hundreds of suited-up lobbyists swirl around a convention centre in Liverpool for Labour’s conference, he is strolling up and down Bold Street, a short walk away, to hear what “real people” care about.

Donning his go-to olive anorak over a black tieless suit, the Green Party leader is pounding the pavement, making the case for disgruntled Labour voters to join his growing ranks.

The firebrand left-winger, who was elected leader of the Greens this month with 85 per cent of member votes, claims Sir Keir’s premiership has been “an unmitigated disaster” and has paved the way for the rise of the populist right in Reform UK.

Sir Keir and his cabinet have ramped up their attacks on Nigel Farage in recent days, branding Reform UK’s latest immigration policy – a plan to scrap indefinite leave to remain – as “racist”. Rachel Reeves doubled down on the Sir Keir’s comments on Monday, telling the Labour conference that the Reform leader was the “single greatest threat” to Britain.

But Mr Polanski claims Sir Keir has failed to challenge Reform through its rise in the polls over the past year, meaning “it has got to the point where Farage has created a public conversation about ending ILR”. In that way, the prime minister is “complicit”, he claims.

He also pointed to the fact Sir Keir did not address the nation from Downing Street in the wake of Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally earlier this month, a demonstration which attracted around 150,000, saying it “demonstrates the utter vacancy of moral and ethical leadership”.

Mr Polanski’s appearance outside Labour’s conference comes on the party’s business day, which sees lobbyists and executives pay thousands of pounds for facetime with senior members of Sir Keir’s cabinet.

Asked what his pitch is to disgruntled Labour backers he hopes to win over, Mr Polanski said: “The Labour Party has sold you out to corporate capital.”

He pointed to the £55,000 package available for those attending the so-called business leaders’ summit at the conference, allowing business leaders to sponsor and introduce the session.

Mr Polanski said he had been asking members of the public about the slot, with the most common response being that they were “not surprised”.

The Green Party’s only vested interests are, by contrast, “people and the planet”, he said.

The Independent saw Mr Polanski approach several groups of voters, while some who recognised him flocked towards him.

In a separate interview with The Independent this month, Mr Polanski said he has spoken to multiple Labour MPs considering defecting to the Greens.

And in Liverpool on Monday, The Independent saw Mr Polanski approached by a sitting Labour councillor considering a defection himself.

The man, who asked not to be identified, took Mr Polanski’s email address and agreed to be in touch. He described the Labour Party under Sir Keir as “always hoping they will change, and they always let you down”.

One voter who met Mr Polanski said he had supported Labour in 2019 and the Conservatives at the last general election, but that he was leaning towards the Greens next.

Shakile, a former takeaway owner in Liverpool who is now a carer for his mother, said his main worry is the increasingly divisive political climate and the tensions being spurred on by campaigns such as the Operation Raise the Colours flag campaign.

He said Sir Keir is not doing enough to combat the rise of the far right and ease tensions, adding “you’ve got the power, you’ve got to tackle it”.

“Keir Starmer is afraid of Nigel Farage,” he added.

Mr Polanski’s main focus on Monday was talking to Labour backers disgruntled with Sir Keir’s leadership, and he said the message he took away was: “People aren’t leaving the Labour Party, the Labour Party has left them.

“I’m meeting so many voters who supported Labour and are now looking for an alternative, and even Labour members who are looking for an alternative.”

He added: “What Nigel Farage has done is rocket boost Reform’s poll ratings, and there is no reason that should not happen with the Green Party.”

Since Mr Polanski announced his leadership bid, the Green Party’s membership has grown by a third to pass 80,000.

He faces a challenge uniting the left-wing anti-Labour vote behind the Greens, however, with the rise of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party. But the Greens have been boosted by the left-wing upstart party’s descent into infighting and chaos.

Mr Polanski said: “My door is totally still open to Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, but my argument is still the same.

“If you want a party that is a socialist party with progressive values… the Green Party already exists.

“It doesn’t make any sense to me why people are creating alternative vehicles.”

At least three people dead in ‘serious incident’ in Ireland

Two men and a woman have been found dead at a property in Co Louth.

Gardai said one man had been arrested after they were alerted to a “serious incident” in Tallanstown on Monday morning.

Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said there was no further threat to the public following the “criminal act”.

A gardai statement said: “Three people – two males and one female (all adults) – were found deceased at the scene.

“The scene has been preserved for technical examination.

“The offices of the coroner and the state pathologist have been notified.

“A male, aged in his 30s, has been arrested and is currently detained at a station in the Garda North West Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.”

The statement said investigations were ongoing.

Gardai have closed a road leading to an isolated property at the scene.

A blue-and-white forensic tent has been set up close to the property.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I have information, An Garda Siochana have passed on information that I have received to the office.

“I am conscious that it is a developing story and it is a sensitive issue but there is no further information I can put into the public domain at present.

“I think further information will become available in due course.”

He added: “What I can say and what gardai have said is that they are not looking for anyone else in respect of this criminal act.

“There is no ongoing threat to the public in Co Louth.”

Sinn Fein Louth councillor Pearse McGeough said on social media that there was “sad news coming out of Tallanstown this morning”.

He added: “I would ask people not to speculate until we know the facts.

“Our thoughts are with the friends, family and the community.”