The Margin's "new survey" department feels there must be research to see if Irish society matches Britain, as shown by - you've guessed it - a "new survey".

Britain has divided into four groups: Resistors, Embracers, Pragmatists and Traditionalists, the research, conducted by the University of Leeds, showed.

Resistors, the largest group at 36 per cent, are the least happy with their lot. They believe they have received a bad deal, are powerless to change policies or events, watch a lot of telly and read the Sun.

Traditionalists comprise 15 per cent of the population, tend to be older and believe life is, well, no more difficult than it was in the past.

The second-biggest slice of British society - 27 per cent - is made up of Embracers, the young computer generation.

For this group, technology is a style statement or an outwardly visible fashion accessory which signals to the outside world that they have "arrived".

Pragmatists make up 22 per cent of society in Britain and are the most socially aware. They are middle-aged and middle-class and care strongly for the community in which they live. They have a strong social conscience What would the Irish equivalents be, the Margin wonders? There'd have to be a begrudgers category, for a start.