73% say Afghan war is unwinnable

Press Association – Mon, Mar 12, 2012
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/73-afghan-war-unwinnable-220345486.html

Nearly three-quarters of the public believe that the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable.

The figure has grown from 60% in June last year to 73%, while more than half (55%) think British troops should be withdrawn immediately compared to 48% previously.

Nearly half of those questioned (46%) have no idea why we are in Afghanistan and do not understand why British soldiers are fighting, up from 39% before, the latest Index poll results conducted by ComRes found.

They showed that public understanding of the purpose of Britain's mission in the conflict has fallen from 44% last October to 38% this week, and now nearly half (48%) of those asked do not believe they have a good understanding of the purpose of Britain's mission there.

Just 18% think that having forces in Afghanistan makes Britain a safer place with three in five who disagree (60%).

Meanwhile more than half (55%) believe that the threat of terrorism on British soil is increased by British forces remaining in Afghanistan. One in five (21%) disagree with this while one in four (24%) do not know.

More than half (57%) disagree that the deaths of British soldiers in Afghanistan are justified by the cause they are fighting for, rising from 50% last June. Now just one in four (26%) agree and 17% say they are not sure.

The survey involved 2,062 adults being questioned online between last Friday and Sunday.

A Government spokesman said: "Real progress has been made in reversing the Taliban's momentum and training the Afghan Security Forces to take over the security operation by the end of the 2014.

"We do not seek a perfect Afghanistan, but one that is able to maintain its own security. As we have made clear, the UK and the international community remain committed to Afghanistan beyond 2014."