UK poll: Bush unpopular in Britain

[emad]

From CNN:

LONDON, England (AP) -- Many people in Britain believe the international standing of the United States has suffered under President George W. Bush and dislike his handling of the situation in Iraq, according to an opinion poll published in London's Times newspaper. Bush and his wife, Laura, will make a three-day state visit to Britain next week and will be the guests of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Prime Minister Tony Blair has been Washington's closest ally in the war on terror and its main coalition partner in Iraq, but many Britons opposed the war to dislodge Saddam Hussein and have criticized Blair's strong relationship with Bush.

In a poll published in The Times Tuesday, 59 percent of respondents said America's standing in the world has diminished under Bush's presidency, while 60 percent disapproved of his handling of the situation in Iraq. Forty-seven percent said Bush didn't seem up to the job of being U.S. President, while 40 percent believed Britain benefits from the close relationship between Bush and Blair. Regarding the war in Iraq, 49 percent believed that military action was the wrong thing to do, while 37 percent believed the opposite.

Blair said Monday that he accepted many people were opposed to the war, but insisted they should support attempts to restore stability and order to Iraq. He also conceded that Bush's November 19-21 visit would spark protests, but defended the U.S.-led coalition's efforts to bring democracy to the Middle Eastern nation. "In eight days time, President Bush makes his state visit to the United Kingdom," Blair said in a foreign policy speech at the Lord Mayor of London's annual banquet. "For many the script of this visit has already been written. There will be demonstrations. His friends wonder at the timing, his enemies rub their hands at what they see as the potential embarrassment. "I believe this is exactly the right time for the president of the United States to come."

Andrew Burgin, spokesman for the Stop the War Coalition, said the group hoped for 60,000 people to join an "Unwelcome Bush" march through central London November 20. In Trafalgar Square, the group plans to pull down a specially erected statue of Bush, the coalition's Web site said. The Populus polling agency interviewed 964 adults by telephone between Nov. 7-9 for The Times survey. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/11/11/britain.bush.poll.ap/index.html

[rjbcar27]

1. Unpopular? What a freaking understatement.

Most of us despise him. I seriously hate the man, and I use the word hate advisedly.

"Bush despised in Britain" would be a better headline.

[emad]

3. From 'The Times:

<snip>:

according to a Populus survey for The Times, half the public believe that the strong personal relationship between Mr Blair and Mr Bush is bad for the country. Voters, particularly women, strongly disapprove of his handling of the Iraq war and do not believe he is up to being president.

<snip>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-889717,00.html

Edit:

Women turn against Bush but support for US remains strong
By Peter Riddell



BRITISH voters, particularly women, strongly disapprove of President Bush’s handling of Iraq and are critical of his close relationship with Tony Blair, according to a Populus poll for The Times in advance of the US President’s visit to Britain next week.
The poll, undertaken over the weekend, underlines the marked contrast between Mr Blair’s warm public support for Mr Bush and the critical view of a majority of the public. Previous polls have shown that, while voters are critical of Mr Bush, they remain broadly pro-American in their general attitudes. They still see the US as a long-term ally, despite their doubts about the present occupant of the White House.

Voters disapprove by a 3-1 margin (60 to 20 per cent) of Mr Bush’s handling of Iraq. This compares with a 51 to 47 per cent margin disapproving rather than approving, according to an identical question asked in a Washington Post-ABC News poll on October 26 to 29. Criticism of Mr Bush’s handling of Iraq is much higher among women than men and among older than younger voters. The balance of approval less disapproval is minus 53 points among women, compared with minus 28 points among men. However, in marked contrast to the hostility towards Mr Bush of many Labour MPs and activists, the least critical group are Labour voters, with a net balance of minus 22 points.

In a further twist, despite the strong support for Mr Bush of Conservative leaders, Tory voters are more hostile, at minus 41 points. Among swing or floating voters who may change their minds before the next election, the balance is minus 45 points. This criticism is linked to a sharp fall in support for the Iraq war among British voters. In April, as the main fighting was ending, almost two thirds of voters (64 per cent) thought that military action was the right thing to do, while just under a quarter (24 per cent) said it was the wrong thing. Even in September, there was a small balance (47 to 43 per cent) backing the war.

Now, almost half the public (49 per cent) believe that it was the wrong thing, and just over a third (37 per cent) the right thing. Almost three fifths of voters (59 per cent) think that America’s standing in the world has diminished under Mr Bush’s leadership, while 39 per cent think that he has proved to be a strong President.
Populus interviewed 964 adults between November 7 and 9.

[jonoboy]

2. as the father of a British soldier killed in Iraq said :

"I can't stand the liar Tony Blair and his creepy little friend Bush"

[saigon68]

4. You mean the Lap Dog Poodle Boy

And the Creepy AWOL Chiimpanzee

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. What did Americans expect?

At exactly what level would Bush appeal to the British? He's uneducated and unworldly by their standards. He epitomizes the ugly American and encapsulates the arrogance of the privileged.

The man is unlikeable by any standards, but will be especially fall flat on his face with the British.

[salinen]

6. brits

show the world your anger at bush. you can help bring him down in ways we can only dream of.