I agree a valuable source, showing that even in Britain, the coalition
theme sounds very different.
I noted also a big difference in the confidence in Bush versus Blair in the
two countries.
How much confidence do you have in xxx to take the right decisions
following the recent terrorist attacks in America?
Tony Blair
A great deal or A fair amount combined 65%
President Bush
A little or None at all combined: 62%
Also strong opinion against blanket air strikes:
Would you support "massive air strikes" against countries knowingly
harbouring terrorist organisations
No 60
Would you support "surgical air strikes" against countries knowingly
harbouring terrorist organisations
Yes 65
Should Britain give unconditional support to US actions throughout this
crisis, on the basis that we should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our
ally; or should Tony Blair tell President Bush that we will support only
those measures that we specifically approve?
Support only specificially approved measures 77
How important is that the US builds an inclusive global coalition to
support its actions before beginning any combat (even if that means slowing
down its response?)
Vvery important 62 Important 32 (combined 94%)
Qaulifications are that this was a poll based on an internet sample, but
corrected, the Observer says, to make it representative. But in the depth
of the question, and the order in which the questions were presented it may
still not be representative.
Nevertheless it will be read closely by UK government ministers, and will
shape UK perceptions about the constraints on its support of the USA.
Britain has just announced that an SAS (UK) team has been operating inside
Afghanistan for the last week. That seems likely to be accepted by public
opinion. Very likely they have been operating some time, probably with the
Northern Alliance and it is a political move to release this information now.
Detailed briefings to the Guardian yesterday prepared informed opinion in
Britain for a massive attack on Afghanistan's air defences and then hand to
hand fighting by elite commando type troops often at night., perhaps with a
base established within Afghanistan.
The government is preparing opinion for military casualties, as is the USA.
A point difference with the Kosovo war.
Oerall the opinion poll shows that the peace movement has plenty of
opportunity to try to restrain violent revenge attacks and to press for
constructive alliance with muslim countries.
Poll undertaken by YouGov.com. YouGov uses active sampling from a base
online panel of 45,000, with demographic analysis and weighting to produce
results that represent the profile of the UK. The sample for this survey
was 3128 respondents, questioned between 19th and 21st September. YouGov
produced the most accurate poll of the general election, correct to within
0.7%
Chris Burford
London
