Britons Endorse Government’s Position on Somalia Hostage Taking
Most respondents believe the Government is right to refuse negotiating a payment, and believe money would only lead to more kidnappings.
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(02/04/10) -
Most respondents believe the Government is right to refuse negotiating a payment, and believe money would only lead to more kidnappings.
Many people in Britain are monitoring the situation of a couple that was kidnapped by Somali pirates and a large majority agrees with the course of action that the Government has decided to take on this matter, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample of 2,010 British adults, 43 per cent of respondents are “very closely” or “moderately closely” following the story of British citizens Paul and Rachel Chandler, who were captured by Somali pirates in October while sailing in their yacht from the Seychelles towards Tanzania.
The Government has refused to negotiate a payment with the hostage takers in exchange for the release of Paul and Rachel Chandler. Three-in-five Britons (60%) agree with this decision, while 27 per cent disagree and 13 per cent are undecided. Respondents over the age of 55 (71%) are more likely to say that the Government has made the right call on this matter.
In fact, 84 per cent of Britons believe that paying a ransom to hostage takers only encourages future kidnappings.
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CONTACT:
Andy Morris, Research Director, London
+ 44-207-065-7272
andy.morris@angus-reid.com
