British popular backing for war falls below 50 percent: poll

LONDON (AFP) Apr 03, 2003
British public support for the war against Iraq has dropped below 50 percent for the first time since military action started, according to a poll published Thursday.

The survey, conducted by ICM for Good Morning Television (GMTV) and the anti-war tabloid The Daily Mirror, showed that support for the US and British action now stands at 48 percent, with 38 percent against going to war, and 14 percent unsure.

But the poll also showed that an overwhelming majority -- 78 percent -- do not want British troops brought home until the war is over, no matter how long it takes.

ICM interviewed a random sample of 502 adults on April 1.

A separate YouGov poll published on Tuesday also showed British support waning with 54 percent of those polled backing the decision to go to war, a fall of five percent on a similar survey carried out five days before.

WAR.WIRE