War of Afghanistan Poll

First Poll On The Afghanistan War: Britons Fully Support Blair But Fear Retaliatory Strikes

TONIGHT WITH TREVOR McDONALD Thursday, October 11, 2001, at 10.20pm on ITV1

In the first nationwide poll since Britain took part in the strikes against Afghanistan, it is revealed that Britons are overwhelmingly supportive of Tony Blair's actions but fear that military strikes against Afghanistan make terrorism in the UK more likely.

It also shows that almost half of us would be prepared to pay more taxes to support the war effort and three quarters of us believe September 11 changed the world forever.

In the exclusive MORI poll for ITV1's TONIGHT WITH TREVOR McDONALD programme this evening (Thursday) at 10.20pm, 72% of Britons approve of the way Tony Blair is handling the British response to the terrorist attacks of September 11 and 71% of adults believe that Britain was right to join America in the military strikes.

Despite this support, 59% of the population now think terrorist attacks against the UK are more likely as a result of British participation in the military strikes and 63% are worried that terrorists will make retaliatory strikes in the UK using chemical and biological weapons.

The poll shows that following the events of September 11, 48% of Britons think that it is now more likely that the country will go into recession but 46% would still be prepared to pay higher taxes to finance military action.

Other significant statistics from the poll include:

• 38% of Britons are less willing to travel by air than they were before September 11
• 66% believe the approach of George W Bush and Tony Blair to the crisis is helping to make the world a safer place
• And 77% believe the events of September 11 have changed the world forever

Technical Note

• MORI interviewed 607 adults aged 18+
• Interviews were conducted by telephone on 9th October 2001
• Results are based on all respondents unless otherwise stated
• Data are weighted to the known population profile
• An '*' indicates a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero
• Where percentages do not add up to exactly 100% this may be due to computer rounding, the exclusion of "don't knows" or to multiple answers
• Poll conducted by MORI on behalf of Granada TV Studios

Toplines

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 The United States and Britain launched military strikes against Afghanistan in response to the terrorist attacks on 11th September. Do you support or oppose taking action against Afghanistan?

Q4 On balance, do you think Britain is right or wrong to have joined the military strikes against Afghanistan?

Q5 Now that the US has taken military action, do you support or oppose British troops being involved in this action?

Q6 Do you think that British participation in the military strikes makes terrorist attacks against the UK more likely, less likely, or do you think it will not make much of a difference?

Q7 How worried are you, if at all, that terrorists will carry out retaliatory strikes in the UK?

Q8 How worried are you, if at all, that terrorists will carry out retaliatory strikes using chemical and biological weapons in the UK?

Q9 How much confidence do you have, if any, in the British authorities to prevent any retaliatory strikes in this country?

Q10 Do you think that the events since September 11th make it more likely that Britain will go into an economic recession, less likely, or do you think it will make no difference?

Q11 In principle would you be prepared to pay higher taxes to pay for British military action against Afghanistan or not?

I am now going to read out four more statements. Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with each.

Q12 The approach of George W Bush and Tony Blair to the crisis is helping to make the world a safer place

Q13 I am less willing to travel by air than I was before September 11th

Q14 September 11th has changed the world forever

Q15 September 11th will change my life forever