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Is it okay for the Government to change its mind?

13th - 20th January 2023

Back to results overview

44522

Total votes

14887

5-11 votes

29635

11-16+ votes

How often do you change your mind? Research says not that often as we look for things that confirm what we already think. But there is nothing wrong with changing your mind, you are free to do so.

But what about when organisations with a significant impact on your life do so. Like when Lilt changed its name to Fanta, or when Tesco changed its meal deal (other, non-food, examples are available). But what about when it is the Government? Should it be the same?

With the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak recently introducing a new policy around maths education, our voters considered the impact of government policy U-turns. They discussed whether people feel positively or negatively about the government changing its mind and explored reasons why the government might do so.

young girl smiling

Primary

"As long as the Government doesn't change their mind all the time then changing their decision shows that they listen to you."

young boy thinking

Secondary

"Decisions should be better thought through so they don’t need to change their minds.”

young person smiling secondary aged

College

"[We] support the Government changing their mind, but not if they do it too much."

67% of those who voted said that 'Yes', it is okay.

  • All of our age groups had a majority 'Yes' vote, deciding that it is okay for the Government to change its mind.
  • We had a total of 44,522 votes for this VoteTopic.
36% of 11-16 year olds voted 'No', which was the highest 'No' voting age group

  • Despite a majority 'Yes' vote, we still had significant numbers of students voting 'No'.
  • The highest 'No' vote came from our Secondary students.
  • Many comments from these students said that the Government should think carefully before making a decision, so that they do not need to change their minds.
Year 2 had the highest 'Yes' vote last week, with 80% believing that it is okay for the Government to change its mind

  • Our Primary pupils had the highest 'Yes' vote and Year 2 had the highest within that age range.
  • The lowest 'Yes' vote came from Year 11 for this VoteTopic.
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