Fielding found that NF members were sensitive to ideas that they were "fascistic" or "cranky", instead thinking of themselves as "patriots" or "nationalists", but that they were not accepting of the term "racist". He noted that race was the main issue that led members to joining the Front, that they generally perceived their racial ideas to be "common sense", and that in his presence, members expressed harsh prejudices against non-white Britons. Fielding found that "ordinary members feel uneasy about Britain's present political life but cannot express why this is". A common perception among members was that life had changed for the worse in Britain and they often used the expression: "the country is going to the dogs". The members Fielding encountered widely perceived Britain's political leaders as corrupt and cruel, and displayed a tendency toward believing and espousing conspiracy theories.