Letter published in The Times, April 2026

In a letter to the editor of The Times published on 20 April 2026, Lady Olga Maitland, founder of The Resilience Imperative, addresses the critical need for 'societal engagement' as a pillar of national defence.

She highlights a disconnect between public perception and personal readiness, citing a poll which found that while 55% of the UK population believes the country is poorly prepared for war, only 40% would feel compelled to serve. Lady Olga emphasizes that with nearly 70% of citizens doubting their ability to cope in a conflict, it is critically important to raise awareness of the dangers of modern hybrid warfare.