LATEST POLL: British support for action in Iraq warming; now at 38% versus 19% only 2-weeks ago

Reuters ^ | Monday March 17, 09:19 PM (London) | ICM Pollsters

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

Prime Minister Tony Blair has received some good news ...with an opinion poll showing public support for war in Iraq finally rising ...

The ICM poll...to be published in Tuesday's edition of the Guardian, showed disapproval of war against Iraq had fallen by eight points to 44 percent while support had risen by nine points to 38 percent.

Less than 2-weeks ago, the same ICM poll showed only 19% support for military action in Iraq.

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

Less than 2-weeks ago, the same ICM poll showed only 19% support for military action in Iraq.

[Mr.Clark]

This must be a misprint. I heard that Blair's whole government was about to collapse. Reuters must be a far-right organization or something.

[skr]

Are the British getting a little suspicious of the French finally? Considering their history...

[Petronski]

The British public can still recognize two valuable assets: (a) a stalwart, principled and worthy leader and (b) that peculiar scoundrel of history, Lucky Pierre (I have your back!).

[Petronski]

Ach! Pierre is not an asset. Ugh, perfectly good rhetoric squandered by my impatience.

[Forceful1]

Nope, just the people getting behind the British troops. Democracy allows us all the the privilege of airing views, for and against. Tomorrow the British politicians will mitigate their stance a little too, I dont think the swing against Blair will be as extreme as feared. But they will have long memeories and Mr Blair, I hope has been right in his judgement, if not he will follow Saddam as a victim.

[VRWC_minion]

Blair isn't dumb. He isn't risking his career.

[Forceful1]

I hope ur right, but he is kinda having to do a King Canute and turn the tide within his party. He has been betrayed by the French in his original objective, when he sought to fully legitimise the military action. But ur right, he is not daft.

[Timesink]

This must be a misprint. I heard that Blair's whole government was about to collapse. Reuters must be a far-right organization or something.

I keep imagining the following conversation having taken place between Bush and Blair in the Azores yesterday:

Bush: Now Tony, all I keep reading in the papers is that you're in trouble with the party. We're both in this together, so if you need a few days or something you just give the word!

Blair: *soft laugh* George, with all due respect to your fellow Americans, your journalists are imbeciles when it comes to understand our parliamentary system. As are ours. I will not go wobbly, and I will survive any revolt. If you want to issue the ultimatum tomorrow night, I am with you 100%.

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

...Reuters must be a far-right organization or something.

And I suppose the Guardian (as sponsers of the poll) have made a turn to the right side too? In our lifetime?

[Zathras]

You can almost see the Reuter's pollster bashing his head into the desk and saying "I can't believe it".

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

Monday March 17, 07:21 PM Avanova

Support grows for Iraq war

Support for a war with Iraq is increasing, a new survey says.

Backing for military action has risen 9% to 38% in the last month while opposition fell 8% to 44%, ICM says.

That swing has been matched by a rise in Tony Blair's personal approval ratings, according to the poll for The Guardian.

Satisfaction with the Prime Minister's performance was up 5% to 40% while those unhappy with him fell 4% to 51%.

A majority, 51%, had a lot or a little confidence in United States President George Bush, compared with 43% who had none.

The crisis has had little impact on support for the two main parties with Labour down 1% to 38% and Conservatives up 1% on 32%.

Liberal Democrats, who oppose war without a fresh United Nations resolution, are up 2% at 24%, their highest ICM rating for a decade.

[ThinkDifferent]

Excellent. The French actually are good for something.