Home  NMD poll
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US Missile Defence opinion poll & statement, 30th October 2008 |
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Poll shows growing opposition to US Missile Defence
CND's latest opinion poll of the British public's views on US Missile Defence reveals that a growing number, 61%, thinks that the system, rather than protecting the UK, actually increases the security threat faced by Britain and Europe. This is an increase from 54% when a similar question was asked last year. The margin between those agreeing that it increases the threat and disagreeing widened from 31% to 44%. Only 17% of those surveyed disagree that hosting US Missile Defence increases the security risks we face.
Also, a large majority, 68%, wants any UK involvement in the project settled by Parliament. This figure hasn't changed since an equivalent poll last year. Only 16% disagree. Unfortunately, the Government has refused to allow Parliament a say on the matter. It announced that the US would be allowed to use the Menwith Hill base in Yorkshire as part of the system, in addition to the Fylingdales radar, on the last day before a Parliamentary break.
The siting of US missiles and early warning bases in Europe, as part of the US National Missile Defence programme, is increasing international tension between the US and Russia and, as a result, increases the threat to UK and European security.
| Agree |
61% |
| Disagree |
17% |
| Don't know |
23%
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The UK's support for and involvement in the US National Missile Defence programme, including the siting of US radar and communications bases in Yorkshire, should be decided by the UK Parliament.
| Agree |
68% |
| Disagree |
16% |
| Don't know |
16% |
See here for full results, gender, regional, class and party breakdowns 
Lobby your MP to call for a debate
Use our simple email tool to quickly contact your MP asking for a debate on British involvement in the US Missile Defence system and the implications for British and European security. Click here to lobby your MP
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2087 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between October 24th to 27th 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
Labour statement in support of Czech and Polish sister parties on US Missile Defence
Over 70 senior Labour figures have signed the following statement, backing the opposition to US plans from Labour's sister parties in central Europe:
We welcome the recent joint statement on US Missile Defence agreed by the leaders of Labour’s sister parties in Poland and the Czech Republic. In recognising their concern at the lack of consultation or acknowledgment of public concern by their governments, we urge the UK government to arrange a full debate to allow MPs to scrutinise in public the US Missile Defence deployment plans in the UK.
1. Diane Abbott MP
2. John Austin MP
3. Roger Berry MP
4. Richard Burden MP
5. Colin Burgon MP
6. Ronnie Campbell MP
7. Martin Caton MP
8. Colin Challen MP
9. David Chaytor MP
10. Michael Clapham MP
11. Katy Clark MP
12. Harry Cohen MP
13. Michael Connarty MP
14. Frank Cook MP
15. Jeremy Corbyn MP
16. Jim Cousins MP
17. Jon Cruddas MP
18. Ann Cryer MP
19. Jim Devine MP
20. Jim Dobbin MP
21. Frank Dobson MP
22. David Drew MP
23. Bill Etherington MP
24. Mark Fisher MP
25. Paul Flynn MP
26. Neil Gerrard MP |
27. Ian Gibson MP
28. John Grogan MP
29. Fabian Hamilton MP
30. Kate Hoey MP
31. Kelvin Hopkins MP
32. Brian Iddon MP
33. Glenda Jackson MP
34. Lynne Jones MP
35. Peter Kilfoyle MP
36. David Lepper MP
37. Tony Lloyd MP
38. John McDonnell MP
39. Michael Meacher MP
40. Chris Mullin MP
41. Doug Naysmith MP
42. Gordon Prentice MP
43. Ken Purchase MP
44. Linda Riordan MP
45. Alan Simpson MP
46. Marsha Singh MP
47. Dennis Skinner MP
48. Sir Peter Soulsby MP
49. Ian Stewart MP
50. Gavin Strang MP
51. Emily Thornberry MP
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52. Joan Walley MP
53. Mike Wood MP
54. Robert Evans MEP
55. Glyn Ford MEP
56. Stephen Hughes MEP
57. Glenys Kinnock MEP
58. David Martin MEP
59. Claude Moraes MEP
60. Lord Alf Dubs
61. Ken Livingstone
62. Derek Simpson, Unite Joint General Secretary
63. Tony Woodley, Unite Joint General Secretary
64. Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary
65. Gerry Doherty, TSSA General Secretary
66. Keith Norman, ASLEF General Secretary
67. Chris Kitchen, NUM General Secretary
68. Joe Marino, BFAWU General Secretary
69. Ann Black, NEC member
70. Peter Kenyon, NEC member
71. Christine Shawcroft, NEC member
72. Pete Willsman, NEC member
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Joint statement on the Missile Defence System in Europe from the SLD (Polish Democratic Left Alliance) and CSSD (Czech Social Democrats)
We, the leaders of social democratic parties, express our opposition to the activities of the governments of the Polish Republic and Czech Republic concerning the stationing of elements of the American antimissile defence system on our states’ territory. Public opinion clearly shows that a majority of the Polish and Czech society is against this venture and the governments of our states should respect the wish of their citizens. We are disturbed by the lack of a real debate on this essential matter, which could have far-reaching consequences for the foreign policy and safety of our countries and the whole of the European Union. Society has the right to know what are the costs associated with the installation of the so-called defence shield. We appeal to the Polish and Czech governments that they take their decisions, on this key matter for their states, according to democratic principles by taking into account the opinions of their citizens.
Grzegorz Napieralski
Leader of the SLD |
Jirí Paroubek
Leader of the CSSD |
2nd September 2008
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