More than four in five Britons (85%) say they are either very or fairly interested in news coverage of the current conflict with Iraq, according to new research from MORI. Most people (55%) say they trust television coverage most, compared to one in 10 (eight per cent) who trust newspaper coverage the most. A quarter (27%) say they trust each equally, and one in 20 (five per cent) say they do not trust newspaper or television coverage.
Millions of Americans as well as millions of the British have demonstrated their opposition to the war in Iraq by taking to the streets of New York, London, Glasgow and Edinburgh and in other cities and towns all over America and Britain.
The first poll on domestic political issues since the war started shows Tony Blair's satisfaction ratings rising to their highest level since June 2002. The latest MORI Political Monitor, with interviews carried out between 20-24 March, finds the proportion satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister rising from 31% to 43%, with those dissatisfied falling from 61% to 48%. That means his net score — those satisfied minus dissatisfied — has risen from minus 30 to minus 5. After a month in February when his rating among his own party supporters fell to its lowest ever, Labour voters are now three times more likely to be satisfied with his performance than dissatisfied.
Pulse Check
Pulse Check delivers key insights from Ipsos' Political Monitor, Political Pulse, and Public Services data, along with reactive polling, to help you navigate the evolving political landscape.
A survey commissioned by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) finds that headteachers are viewed as better leaders than any other group in Britain.
A survey by MORI on behalf of the Greater London Authority reveals that half of Londoners (50%) support the congestion charge scheme with one in three (34%) against it. Before the scheme started similar proportions supported and opposed the scheme. Two-thirds (67%) believe it has been effective in reducing traffic congestion, while one in five (20%) do not.
The final polls to be published before the war in Iraq started, conducted last weekend, all found a shift in public opinion in favour of British involvement in the war but still found a majority disapproving, both of military action and of Tony Blair's handling of the Iraq crisis.
Tony Blair's standing with the electorate has suffered a blow in recent weeks — following high-profile disagreements with senior Labour MPs — with MORI's latest research showing a six per cent drop in his approval rating on Iraq.
