Poll shows British distrust of Reagan

Press, 10 November 1983, Page 8

Poll shows British distrust of Reagan

NZPA London The extent of British distrust of the United States Government in the wake of Grenada is starkly displayed in a newspaper survey yesterday which shows that 94 per cent of Britons want dual control of American nuclear missiles to be based in the United Kingdom.

The British Government has consistently ruled out the so-called dual-key system whereby a British officer — with authority from the Prime Minister — would also be needed to give the go ahead for launching of the controversial missiles. The cruise and Pershing missiles will be solely controlled by the United States. But the survey in yesterday’s “Daily Mail” will give the Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher, and her Government something to

think about. One of the prime reasons — apart from mutual trust — for not requiring a dual key system was the cost — $1 billion ($2.26 billion). But the National Opinion Poll survey found that even at that price 74 per cent of Britons believed that the system is a vital safeguard. The “Daily Mail” says that the Government has clearly “totally underestimated” public opinion. “As a result of plurality of Britons who supported cruise a few months ago has dropped away. There are now more people against than for it,” the newspaper reports. At the General Election in June 48 per cent of the voters backed cruise missile deployment in Britain and 38 per cent opposed it. But the survey has found that 47 per cent are now against and only 37 per cent in

The most significant change was among women. There is still a 45 per cent to 42 per cent majority in favour among men, but women are now 52 per cent against and only 29 per cent for. “The poll’s other dramatic finding is that President Reagan is massively distrusted by British voters,” the newspaper says.

Asked if America would fire cruise missiles from Britain against the wishes of the British Government 68 per cent said, “Yes,” and 18 per cent said “no.” And 58 per cent of Britons believed that Mr Reagan’s policies made a nuclear war more likely.

A conclusive 72 per cent also rejected Mr Reagan’s assertion that Grenada had been invaded to protect the lives of United States’ citizens.