Narrow majority in favour of intervention

As the Gaddafi regime continues to murder, maim and terrorise the Libyan people, a poll today shows a small majority in favour of using military force to prevent foreign leaders launching attacks against their own people. The March Times/Populus poll reveals almost half of respondents (49 per cent) agree Britain should be prepared to use force if necessary, with more than half (53 per cent) saying it’s wrong to support tyrannical regimes “to preserve stability”.

Fifty three per cent agree it has been wrong for Britain “to support undemocratic governments and leaders in places like North Africa and the Middle East in order to preserve stability in the region”, with only 38 per cent agreeing, while 86 per cent agree it is the government’s “responsibility to rescue British nationals working abroad when their safety is threatened by political unrest on the ground”.

On the economy, when asked who they trusted “to manage the economy in the best interests of Britain”, 44 per cent said David Cameron, Nick Clegg and George Osborne, against a third for Ed Miliband and Ed Balls; however, when asked if Britain “will be a fairer country” at the end of this parliament, only 40 per cent agreed it would, with more than half (52 per cent) disagreeing, and when asked if Britain “will be a more prosperous country”, 43 per cent agreed against 50 per cent disagreeing.

The final question asked how, if the chancellor “had additional revenues at his disposal” at the Budget, he should use them: 28 per cent said “to cut taxes”; 38 per cent “to limit the cuts in public spending”; and 30 per cent “to reduce the debt and deficit more quickly”.

• Tomorrow, Left Foot Forward will have more on the options for intervention in Libya, and the political manoeuvring over the proposed No Fly Zone.