Questioning London

Changing London Happy times The future Idols Identity Being remembered

Yourself We asked: How would you label yourself?

'A rebellious, ponderous, socialist.'

'They are labeling me: "illegal immigrant".'

'I wouldn't because I am not an object to be categorised.'

'Afro-centric and eclectic.'

'When I was in Northern Ireland "British" but now in London "Irish".'

'East London and common as muck.'

'Leftish green vegetarian.'

Changing London We asked: If you could change one thing in London, what would it be?

1554 people aged 16 or over answered this question.

458 people commented upon either the quality or the price of public transport – 29.5% of those who answered

'Improve our public transport system – cheap, safe and reliable, like other major capitals.'

'Completely rewire and revamp the tube system until it's safe.'

'British tolerance for shambolic transport system.'

344 people wanted to see a reduction in traffic – 22.1% of those who answered

'Get rid of private cars – which make walking unpleasant, causing ill-health and isolation.'

'Traffic – it smells, it holds up my journey to college in the morning – especially those who drive in bus lanes!!!!!'

'Traffic – do something drastic to make it flow.'

281 people commented upon the amount of litter or the dirtiness of the streets – 18.1% of those who answered

'Stop people dropping litter and using the streets as toilets.'

'Gum on the streets.'

'Eliminate litter louts.'

143 people complained about the attitudes of other people – 9.2% of those who answered

'I wish people would smile more at people they don't know, and give up their seat, and let people go first.'

'The people aren't as helpful as they used to be.'

'The amount of cars and angry people, of which I am one from time to time.'

113 people commented upon the pollution – 7.3% of those who answered

'The smell.'

'Get rid of the traffic and the fumes and the road rage.'

'The dirty air.'

103 people complained about house prices – 6.6% of those who answered

'Provide more affordable housing – it would help relieve most of London's problems.'

'Property prices – too damn expensive!'

'Actually make that decent affordable housing.'

81 people commented upon crime – 5.2% of those who answered

'Rid the place of the heroin and crack cocaine addicts that have made London a scarier and seedier place to live.'

'Bad estates which are full of gangs, drugs, violence and racism.'

'Make it safe to walk around without crime.'

56 people commented upon homelessness – 3.6% of those who answered

'Eradicate homelessness – everyone should have a clean warm bed to sleep in.'

'I would provide the homeless population with permanent, decent housing and make sure they were acclimatised to their new environment.'

'My experience of discrimination and homelessness.'

Other answers

'Create harmony and understanding among all the nationalities.'

'The class system, the massive gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots', poor wages for basic jobs.'

'The impersonal quality – no-one has a single identity, we are grouped, categorised and sectioned.'

'The lengthy legal process that Kosovans etc have to endure to determine their status.'

'Issue ID cards and remove undesirables.'

'Dirty pubs (dirty glasses, dirty upholstery, bad wine).'

Happy times We asked: When and where were you most happy?

1410 people aged 16 or over answered this question.

343 people mentioned a holiday or traveling– 24.3% of those who answered

'In Morocco, my mother's home country.'

'When I was in Mozambique playing with local kids on the beach – none of us spoke the same language but we had a great time.'

'1999 – waiting for a ferry which might not come, with all my luggage packed on my bike, on the end of a pier on an island off Auckland, New Zealand.'

331 people are most happy now – 23.4% of those who answered

'Usually around 9pm on Thursday night in the Market Porter in Middlesex Street en route to Brick Lane for a curry!'

'Right now – this year has been good, and when I am walking around London on a cold sunny day with my partner.'

'In my present home, until the damn 'planes started those night flights recently.'

223 people mentioned childhood – 15.8% of those who answered

'As a 10 year old playing football, aged 21 living in Europe, kissing Sandra in Tesco's.'

'As an evacuee, as a retiree.'

'Petticoat Lane on a Sunday, probably around 1967, eating honeycomb from a stall and looking at the puppies for sale.'

126 people mentioned being outdoors or in the countryside – 8.9% of those who answered

'Summer holidays in 1960s in gardens, orchards and bombsites.'

'When I'm amongst nature: the trees, flowing water, seeing flowers grow… it can be anywhere.'

'Swimming in the sea at Holkham Beach with no clothes on, two years ago on the last day of summer.'

123 people mentioned family – 8.7% of those who answered

'My wedding day and on the day my daughter was born (Portsmouth and Whipps Cross Hospital respectively).'

'As a child, with my family, family walks on a summer evening, eating chips and salad for dinner, after a late afternoon trip to the beach.'

'Hillyfields SE4 when my daughter ran out of school with brilliant A-Level results – because she was so happy!'

109 people were most happy at home – 7.7% of those who answered

'Just at home with good telly and a sherbet fountain or two.'

'Out with friends, or in, alone, with a good book.'

'I'm very happy now and happiest in my own home.'

104 people were most happy at university – 7.4% of those who answered

'When I obtained my first degree at university.'

'Studying about Antarctica, in Christchurch (NZ) two years ago.'

'At Durham University, had lots of lovely friends and it was beautiful there.'

94 people mentioned their partner – 6.7% of those who answered

'I am always happy in the knowledge that my boyfriend is a lovely and remarkable man.'

'When my boyfriend told me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.'

'Wimbledon 1973, early days with my future, now ex-, wife.'

69 people mentioned friends – 4.9% of those who answered

'Any time spent among friends, often in our local haunts or in the stands at Highbury.'

'When I am with people who are interesting and do constructive things.'

'At the side of my best friend as she gave birth to her first child (my 'oddson' Ben).'

other answers

'1979, aged 18, in London during 'mod revival' and singing in a group.'

'I can't think of a particular situation, but I'm sure it was brief.'

'I am happy now, but passing my nursery nurse training course in 1998 and Arsenal winning the Premier League and FA Cup.'

'In bed with numerous women (not all at the same time).'

'1970s East London in political campaigns.'

'Poole Park, 1978, a summer's day, I forgot myself, I thought I was someone else, someone good.'

The future We asked: What would you like to do in the future? Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?

1380 people aged 16 or over answered this question.

457 people wanted to travel more – 33.1% of those who answered

'Truck driving overland around the world.'

'Perhaps move back to Belfast – I love London but feel 'in exile', although when I go back I feel this (London) is my home; I'd like to visit Jamaica – it's my 'adopted' place because I've lived in Brixton for so long.'

'See lots of countries and understand and like the people.'

174 people wanted to write a book – 11.2% of those who answered

'Publish my novel and win the lottery.'

'Write some books for intelligent teenagers.'

'Write a book, run a restaurant, have a small self-sufficient farm in northern Spain, have children, work for environmental causes.'

174 people wanted to do a different job – 11.2% of those who answered

'Join my wife running a bed and breakfast place away from the rat race.'

'I'd love to work for an educational / human rights charity.'

'If I know English very well I hope I will get a better job.'

136 people had ambitions relating to their work – 9.9% of those who answered

'Reach a stage in my career that I am fulfilled materially, socially and the work in interesting.'

'To move from our small market unit into a high street shop and expand with coffee bar and place where children can play while their parents / carers can browse, buy and just meet up.'

'I want to work full time with children with disabilities.'

126 people wanted to further their education – 9.1% of those who answered

'To study biotechnology next year, then to work in research, and finally to move and live in Scotland.'

'Become a qualified reflexologist at the age of 61!'

'I would like to go back to college to learn more about the different groups in society and what they have in common, what alienates them from each other and how they can be brought closer.'

96 of people wanted to have a family – 7% of those who answered

'I would like to become an accountant, get married and have as many kids as possible.'

'Have children who want to take an active part in the world.'

'1. own a house with a garden, a cat and a dog; 2. have a child.'

85 people wanted to be an artist – 6.2% of those who answered

'Travel, make socially responsible art.'

'To do an MA immediately after my BA, and then make a living as an artist, and to repay all the kindness shown to me during my university career.'

'I'd love to be a published writer and an artist.'

83 people wanted to have their own business – 6% of those who answered

'Open my own wildlife sanctuary in the country (with a nice husband).'

'Start independent school, drugs rehab centre and web-retail business, make a difference.'

'I'd like to run my own business and learn as much as I can about the craft of bricklaying.'

Other answers

'I would like to become a Mercedes owner.'

'Be able to legally marry my girlfriend.'

'To leave a mark – improve inter-racial, inter-cultural understanding.'

'My fantasy is to have my obituary in The Times.'

'As that famous guy who bought Brixton and turned it into Brixton II – “the happy place!”.'

'Lots of naughty sex.'

Idols We asked: Which person do you most admire?

1124 people aged 16 or over answered this question.

222 people chose Nelson Mandela – 19.8% of those who answered

'Nelson Mandela – to survive 27 years in prison and not be full of anger.'

'Nelson Mandela, and others like him, who work for others rather than for himself.'

'Living, hmm… Thatcher for her grit, Mandela for his policies.'

191 people chose their mother – 17% of those who answered

'My mum – she has the patience of a saint and is the backbone of our family.'

'My mother, she always smiled even if tired or while having difficulties.'

'My mother – still energetic and loves going out, aged 82. Motto: “there are 365 days and I'm going out every one of them!”.'

106 people chose their father – 9.4% of those who answered

'My mum and dad for putting up with me and making me who I am today.'

'Dad (then Ian Brown, musician).'

'My mum and dad!! Cliff Richard and Doris Day!!'

62 people chose their wife or partner – 5.5% of those who answered

'My wife for her extraordinary courage and spirit.'

'My wife for being strong willed.'

'My wife says it is her – OK?'

44 people chose their husband or partner – 3.9% of those who answered

'My husband, extraordinary and wonderful.'

'My husband, he inspires me.'

'My husband – as he's watching me write this!'

43 people chose the Queen – 3.8% of those who answered

'The Queen, I think – for doing a difficult job with dignity in spite of constant criticism.'

'The Queen for her dedication to duty.'

'Queen Elizabeth – in the public eye – ghastly children – poor soul.'

33 people said explicitly that they had no idols – 2.9% of those who answered

'All public figures have flaws.'

'Is there anyone left to admire – we have no heroes any more!'

'Beware of building idols so high that they may fall and crush you.'

29 people chose Tony Benn – 2.6% of those who answered

'Anthony Wedgewood Benn.'

'Very difficult, there are many, but Tony Benn comes near the top.'

'Tony Benn – politics; Judi Dench – perfection.'

Other answers

'Archbishop Desmond Tutu springs to mind as a role model and someone who lives his faith.'

'My eldest daughter, for having the strength to leave a violent relationship and moving on with her life.'

'The Burmese lady who stands against tyranny - Aung San Suu Kyi.'

'My Polish grandmother who was taken from Poland in World War Two to Siberia in Russia by foot.'

'Simon Weston – Falklands veteran, burnt, rebuilt his life, not bitter, etc, etc..'

'Anyone who gives up their time to promote human right causes, and Bob Taylor (West Bromwich Albion striker).'

Identity We asked: How would you describe your ethnic background?

2247 people answered this question.

1421 people mentioned their nationality – 63.2% of those who answered

'I am Turkish and therefore I am counted as an ethnic minority.'

'Romanian. Born and raised there. Foreigner between foreigners in London.'

'Mine is just as 'ethnic' but all Euro. With Irish name, Scottish mother, and Austrian American Polish elements in my father's background.'

1347 people mentioned their ethnicity – 60% of those who answered

'Asian (Pakistan) and English (mixed race).'

'UK Black – mother Jamaican, father Barbadian.'

'White British and proud of it! We are a rareity.'

136 people described themselves as Jewish – 6.1% of those who answered

'Culturally Jewish – religion atheist.'

'Greek Jewish Cockney.'

'I am Jewish and therefore see myself as an ethnic person.'

59 people mentioned their religion – 2.6% of those who answered

'Asian, Muslim, Bengali, British.'

'I am a witness of Jehova.'

'My mother is Catholic mixed race Venezuelan and grew up in Trinidad. My father is Jewish and grew up in LA and is of Eastern European descent.'

57 people mentioned London – 2.5% of those who answered

'White, perhaps Scottish, with some old London. My great-grandfather was a butcher in Deptford.'

'My grandparents are from Colombia and I was born in the USA. Now living in London.'

'Huguenot descent, family lived in Whitechapel until 1940s, moved to Wembley.'

30 people mentioned their class – 1.3% of those who answered

'White, middle-class family. Standard 2 kids, dogs, house in country and 2 cars.'

'White working-class.'

'I come from a middle-class family in Germany. My mother is British (from London) and father is Bavarian.'

other answers

'I was brought up in South Africa and never answer this question voluntarily.'

'Half-Chinese, Half-Mancunian but born in Wales.'

'Fairly dull - White western European for many generations.'

'Croat 50% Assyrian 50%.'

'Mixed - mother from Austria, father from Cyprus. Never sure what to label myself.'

'Good British standard upbringing, strong moral codes.'

'Parents were born and brought up in Lebanon. So a very Mediterranean upbringing, although liberal.'

Being remembered We asked: How would you like to be remembered?

1404 people aged 16 or over answered this question.

347 people wanted to be remembered as being nice or decent – 24.7% of those who answered

'Decent bloke who made good films and at a late age became the oldest Formula One champion.'

'I think I would be happy to be called a decent human being. If I knew I had changed one person's life for the better I think I'd have some hope for the world.'

'As quite a decent sort of bloke who always stood his round and opened doors for ladies.'

293 people wanted to be remembered as being kind or compassionate – 20.9% of those who answered

'As a kind person, if a little old-fashioned, a person who has dragged herself up from a poor background to find a life of interest and passions.'

'As kind and caring and tolerant to other races and very patriotic.'

'As a considerate person – I was going to say 'good person' but there is no market for good girls.'

158 people wanted to be remembered as being funny – 11.3% of those who answered

'Good for a laugh, would always buy a round and could really shake it on the dance floor.'

'As a funny, happy bloke who is able to make others laugh and love themselves easier.'

'Clever, zany, funny and good at baking.'

155 people wanted to be remembered as being happy – 11% of those who answered

'Happy, loving, intelligent – not tiny (the general first impression of me!).'

'For being a shiny, happy creative person that brought rays of light into people's lives.'

'An eccentric woman with a heart of gold who died with a twinkle in her eye and contentment on her face.'

133 people wanted to be remembered for changing things in some way – 9.5% of those who answered

'For shaking our society out of complacency and making people aware of the things they can do that make the world a better place to live in and raise the next generation.'

'As someone who helped stop the decline of humanity into self-destruction and division.'

'Millions. I would love to help others, especially injustices in the world, poverty, unfair trade. I would also like to be more creative.'

111 people wanted to be remembered with love or happiness – 7.9% of those who answered

'With love by my family and friends and for making some positive contribution to society by everyone else.'

'With fondness as a loving human being (yuk! that sounds disgustingly clichéd but I suppose it's true).'

'With more affection that I will be.'

98 people wanted to be remembered for something related to their job – 7% of those who answered

'As a teacher, helping others to broaden their minds to new ideas and cultures.'

'As a good mother and a good solicitor who helped people gain justice and maybe as the first woman Labour Prime Minister!'

'I reckon by my work in local government I contributed to the good working of London life.'

86 people wanted to be remembered as someone interesting – 6.1% of those who answered

'Interested and interesting.'

'An interesting person with lots to give.'

'For my originality, sense of humour, willpower.'

other answers

'As a miserable old devil who was always right.'

'One who made a success and entered a world (social and varied) completely different from their upbringing.'

'As an Evertonian and Marxist.'

'Moral, honest, upright citizen.'

'As the father of the man who scored the winning goal for England in the 2022 World Cup.'

'By a service every year in which my pickled remains are driven around London for all to see.'

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