UK People Still Back Iraq Action
Just over a year ago, the received wisdom was that the British people did not support Tony Blair's stance on Iraq.
15) 'Axis of evil'
George Bush described North Korea, Iran, and Iraq as "an axis of evil". Do you believe the UK government could convince you to support military intervention against Iran and North Korea?
Could you support military action against Iran?
Yes: 26%
No: 66%
Don't know: 8%
Against North Korea?
Yes: 24%
No: 67%
Don't know: 8%
The most interesting thing about this question is that the figures are similar to those a year ago when the question was asked about Iraq. As the last year has demonstrated, if a reasonable case can be made to the British, they will support military action.
Overall, the poll shows that the Anglo-American alliance is in good shape, and broadly supportive of its geopolitical thrust over the past year. The issue is complicated by the low personal esteem in which the British hold both Tony Blair and George Bush, but when it comes to policy, the current Anglo-American direction is clearly preferred to any other.
Iain Murray is a Senior Fellow in International Policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington DC.