Bush links hurt Blair

Poll: Britain should take a much more robust and independent approach to the US, according to a Guardian/ICM poll, published…

Poll: Britain should take a much more robust and independent approach to the US, according to a Guardian/ICM poll, published today, which finds strong public opposition to Tony Blair's close working relationship with President George W. Bush.

The survey shows that just 30 per cent of people think the British prime minister has got the relationship about right, against 63 per cent who say he has tied Britain too closely to the US.

Voters are also strongly critical of the scale of Israel's military operations in Lebanon, with 61 per cent believing the country has overreacted to the threats it faces.

Only 22 per cent of voters believe Israel has reacted proportionately to the kidnapping of soldiers and other attacks from militant groups in southern Lebanon.