Public Opinion Frosty for State Visitor Bush

With President George W Bush making a State Visit to Britain this week, a CNN/TIME poll conducted in Britain, Germany and France by TNS suggests low levels of public support for the Bush administration. The poll, conducted on the eve of the visit, also reveals skepticism about the 'special relationship' between the US and the UK.

Around eight out of ten adults in France (79%) and Germany (82%) and more than half in Britain (56%) said that they do not support the policies and leadership of the current US administration. In contrast, just one in five (19%) Britons said they supported the Bush administration, compared with 12% of Germans and 10% of the French.

Perhaps more worryingly for long-term supporters of the 'special relationship', almost six out of ten Britons (58%) say the country they live in should look to Europe in pursuing its world interests, compared with just 22% opting for the United States. Less surprisingly, 87% of those questioned in France and Germany believe the UK should look to Europe.

Among adults across all three countries there is disagreement in the poll about who benefits from the US and UK's close relationship, with many undecided. However, considerably more think the main beneficiary is the US (38%) than the UK (15%). In Britain, 44% feel that the US gets most out of the relationship, with just 11% opting for the UK. Just under a quarter in France and Germany and 30% in the UK feel that both countries benefit equally.

Other findings show that more than a third of adults in the three countries surveyed feel less safe and more vulnerable to terrorist attack as a result of the US and UK partnership in the war on terror, rising to 57% among Britons.

1,000 adults were interviewed in each of Britain, Germany and France between 13th and 17th November.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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