(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in Britain support their government’s stance on a recent kidnapping, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 60 per cent of respondents agree with the refusal to negotiate a payment with hostage takers in exchange for the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – People in Britain support their government’s stance on a recent kidnapping, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 60 per cent of respondents agree with the refusal to negotiate a payment with hostage takers in exchange for the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler.
In October 2009, Paul and Rachel Chandler—two British citizens—were captured by Somali pirates while sailing in their yacht from the Seychelles towards Tanzania. Both have appealed for assistance from their government in interviews with British and European media outlets.
On Jan. 24, British foreign secretary David Miliband discussed the case, saying, "Our position is absolutely clear. The British government never makes substantive concessions to hostage-takers, including in respect of ransom payments, and we always advise people of that. Can we stop private individuals? No, we can’t. But we have a very clear policy of our own and the British government is absolutely clear it is not in our interests."
Polling Data
The Government has refused to negotiate a payment with the hostage takers in exchange for the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler. Do you agree or disagree with the stance of the Government on this matter?
|
Agree |
60% |
|
Disagree |
27% |
|
Not sure |
13% |
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,010 British adults, conducted on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, 2010. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
