According to a YouGov survey for Channel 4 News, almost half of the UK public believe that military victory in Afghanistan is impossible and significant majorities think British troops are not winning the war and should be withdrawn either immediately or within the next year.
The survey figures were announced as thousands of protesters gathered in London to call on the government to bring the 9,000 strong British force in Afghanistan home.
Today's poll uncovered a much more pessimistic attitude towards the conflict than in a similiar survey in 2007, when 36% said that victory was impossible.
Just 6% of those taking part in the polls said that British troops were winning the war, compared with 36% who said they were not winning yet but eventual victory was possible and 48% who said that victory was not possible.
The figures suggested an overwhelming 84% believe that British troops are not winning the war with Taliban militias at present.
Asked when British troops should be brought home, 25% said 'immediately' and 37% said most should be withdrawn soon, with the remainder pulling out within a year or so.
Only 29% said the UK armed forces should remain 'as long as Afghanistan's government wants them there', compared with the total 62% who wanted them withdrawn immediately or in the coming year.
This won't be good news for Gordon Brown and his spin doctors, who have spent a great deal of time recently attempting to get the public onside. May the numbers against the war increase more and more.
The poll was undertaken on 22 and 23 October with 2,042 adults questioned.
Source: Herald
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