Britons reject much-heralded 'Diana effect' death has left Britain unchanged

FEW PEOPLE think that the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, a year ago had a lasting effect either on themselves or on the nation as a whole, according to a Harris poll for The Independent.

Only one in seven, 14 per cent, thinks Britain is a "better country" as a result of her death. This is twice as many as the 7 per cent who think Britain is a "worse country". Themajority, 75 per cent, think the nation is "no different".

On a personal level, only 17 per cent said Diana's death - a year ago next Monday - had "changed the way I think about life", whereas 80 per cent said it had not changed them.

The poll suggests, meanwhile, that people are evenly divided on whether the princess's death has had any effect on "The Firm" with which she saw herself at war while she was alive: 44 per cent think the Royal Family is "more in touch with the people" as a result of her death, while 44 per cent think it has made no difference. Eight per cent think the Royal Family is "less in touch".

People are divided over whether Prince Charles's plans to modernise the monarchy go far enough. While 44 per cent said the "pace of reforms of the monarchy" was "about right", 39 per cent thought it should be "speeded up". The "Way Ahead" group of senior royals is working on a series of reforms.

Those surveyed also doubt whether Diana's death had any effect on whether the media has any more respect for the privacy of public figures. Harris Research interviewed 1,064 people face-to-face in their homes between 7 and 11 August and weighted the results to match the profile of the adult population.

Full details, page 2

Leading article,

Review, page 3