Time Poll Reveals Declining British Support For The War Against Terror

Saturday 23 March 2002

A MORI poll published in next week's TIME magazine reveals that British approval of the way both President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair are handling the response to the 11 September terrorist attacks has fallen sharply since late last year. Approval of Bush's performance in the crisis has dropped from to 50%, from 66% in November, while Blair's approval is down from 71% to 52%.

The balance of British opinion is firmly against stepping up American military action against Iraq. Only 35% say the U.S. government would be right to attack Saddam Hussein's regime, while 52% think such a move would be wrong. The figures are similar for attitudes to British involvement in any American escalation in Iraq. Only about one in three Britons (34%), think their government would be right to join the Americans in any increased action, while 56% think it would be wrong.

Enthusiasm for the Anglo-American alliance against terrorism is similarly shaky among Britons. Two in five think their government is too supportive of the U.S., while a mere 3% think it is not supportive enough. Just over half of the British believe Britain has got its relationship with the U.S. "about right".

The poll, conducted last weekend among 1,003 adults across Britain, shows a significant divergence of opinion among the major political parties on Blair's handling of the war against terrorism. While 61% of Labour supporters and 55% of Conservatives approve, Liberal Democratic opinion is mostly against the Prime Minister, with 49% disapproving and 40% approving. In contrast, approval of Bush's handling of the American effort is markedly higher among Conservatives (64%), compared to Labour supporters (50%) and Liberal Democrats (38%).

While 58% of British men approve of the way George Bush is handling the American response, fewer than half (43%) of women approve of the President's actions.

Older Britons are less likely to approve of Blair's handling of the situation. More of those aged 55 and over disapprove (46%) than approve (43%), whereas 58% of 16-to-24 year olds, 57% of 25-34 year olds and 56% of 35-54 year olds approve.

Jeff McAllister, London Bureau Chief for TIME Magazine, comments: "Six months on from 11th September, public support for the war against terrorism is ebbing, and these trends may have a significant bearing on the war's next phase."

Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of MORI, said: "While the British strongly supported their Prime Minister's "shoulder to shoulder" stance over Afghanistan last year, British public opinion is decidedly cooler about stepping up direct military action against Iraq".

Topline Results

• MORI interviewed 1,003 British adults aged 18+ on the MORI Telephone Surveys Omnibus
• Interviews were conducted by telephone between 15-17 March 2002.
• Results are based on all respondents unless otherwise stated.
• Data are weighted to known population profile
• An '*' indicates a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
• Poll conducted by MORI on behalf of Time magazine.

Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the American response to the terrorist attacks on 11th September?

Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tony Blair is handling the British response to the terrorist attacks on 11th September?

Q3 On balance, do you think the American government would be right or wrong to step up military action in Iraq, the country run by Saddam Hussein?

Q4 On balance, do you think the British government would be right or wrong to join the Americans in stepping up military action in Iraq, the country run by Saddam Hussein?

Q5 And do you think that the British government is too supportive of the American government on these international issues, not supportive enough, or do you think they've got it about right?