7.25.2006
Stand Up to US, Voters Tell Blair (Guardian.co.uk)
Julian Glover and Ewen MacAskill
Tuesday July 25, 2006
The Guardian
Britain should take a much more robust and independent approach to the United States, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today, which finds strong public opposition to Tony Blair's close working relationship with President Bush.
The wide-ranging survey of British attitudes to international affairs - the first since the conflict between Lebanon and Israel started- shows that a large majority of voters think Mr Blair has made the special relationship too special.
Just 30% think the prime minister has got the relationship about right, against 63% saying he has tied Britain too closely to the US.
Carried in the wake of the accidental broadcast of the prime minister's conversation with President Bush at the G8 summit, the poll finds opposition to this central element of the prime minister's foreign policy among supporters of all the main parties.
Even a majority of Labour supporters - traditionally more supportive of Mr Blair's foreign policy position - think he has misjudged the relationship, with 54% saying Britain is too close to the US. Conservatives - 68% - and Liberal Democrats - 83% - are even more critical.
(More ... Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Stand up to US, voters tell Blair) ¶ 20:51
Tuesday July 25, 2006
The Guardian
Britain should take a much more robust and independent approach to the United States, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today, which finds strong public opposition to Tony Blair's close working relationship with President Bush.
The wide-ranging survey of British attitudes to international affairs - the first since the conflict between Lebanon and Israel started- shows that a large majority of voters think Mr Blair has made the special relationship too special.
Just 30% think the prime minister has got the relationship about right, against 63% saying he has tied Britain too closely to the US.
Carried in the wake of the accidental broadcast of the prime minister's conversation with President Bush at the G8 summit, the poll finds opposition to this central element of the prime minister's foreign policy among supporters of all the main parties.
Even a majority of Labour supporters - traditionally more supportive of Mr Blair's foreign policy position - think he has misjudged the relationship, with 54% saying Britain is too close to the US. Conservatives - 68% - and Liberal Democrats - 83% - are even more critical.
(More ... Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Stand up to US, voters tell Blair) ¶ 20:51
