Afghan opinion poll: what the papers say
Updated on 06 November 2009
The exclusive YouGov poll for Channel 4 News features in many of today's papers, focusing on the survey's findings that support is waning for the mission in Afghanistan.
The Telegraph said: "Nearly three quarters of those polled want to see troops home within a year, despite warnings from diplomatic sources that foreign forces could be in Afghanistan for years to come."
In the Guardian, the possible reasons for the change in public opinion were cited: "Now, following the deaths of five British soldiers this week and President Karzi's flawed victory in the recent election, just 33 per cent of those questioned last night think the war can be won, while a clear majority, 57 per cent think victory is no longer possible."
The Scotsman linked the poll to Gordon Brown's speech on the strategy for Afghanistan this morning: "His speech comes as a poll of more than 1,000 Britons revealed opposition to the war had risen sharply in the past fortnight.
"Some 35 per cent think all UK troops should be withdrawn immediately, up from a quarter two weeks ago."
From the blogs, Whitehall 1212 wrote: "With a call for British withdrawal by the former Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells adding to the sense that a tipping point is approaching for British involvement in Afghanistan, a poll for Channel 4 news showed that public support for the war has fallen sharply."
PoliticalBetting.com went further to say: "We are in for a glut of opinion polls in the coming days on the question of Britain’s continued presence in Afghanistan - the latest being on C4 last night from YouGov which had 73 per cent wanting an immediate or early pullout.
"Certainly today’s front-pages are going to do nothing to ease the growing concerns and the pressure will continue to rise.
"But the government is fortunate, so far at least, that this has not become a party issue. Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems are part of the consensus that supports the ongoing presence and, as yet, there is no political outlet for the 'bring our boys home' sentiment.
"It might be that withdrawal becomes a key issue in a post-general election Labour leadership contest."
