Daily catch-up: Voters are more opposed to Syria air strikes, and to Corbyn
Plus print nostalgia and saying 'cheese'
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Your support makes all the difference.Moose Allain wants to know why this sign doesn't say "Please drive Caerphilly". There was an unfortunate outbreak of cheese jokes on the internet yesterday but I think it's over now.
• The British public have become more sceptical about air strikes in Syria, but also less likely to approve of Jeremy Corbyn, according to YouGov for The Times today. Support for air strikes has fallen to 48 per cent, with 31 per cent opposed; 21 per cent don't know. The Conservative lead has risen to 11 points, 41 per cent against 30 per cent for Labour, with Corbyn's net approval falling to minus 41 points: 24 per cent say he is doing well, 65 per cent say badly.
Support for air strikes was 59 per cent on 17 November, four days after the Paris terrorist murders on 13 November. The passage of a mere two weeks has lost 11 per cent of the public: this is more a case of "time to reflect" than of "how memory fades". Looking back over YouGov's figures, the change may be more to do with the fierce debate in recent days, because support for air strikes was 59 per cent in May and 60 per cent in September: the Paris attacks did not seem to produce an upward spike.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll in the US 16-19 November found 73 per cent supported increased air strikes and 60 per cent supported ground forces in Syria.
• Jake Goretzki asks a good question: "I get that Second World War or Nazi analogies are very often crass. But, pray, what was the 'political settlement' we reached with that particular death cult?"
• My former colleague Geoffrey Lean, the great environment journalist, has started a blog, although he still prefers print:
I still think print is better than electronic media. It can broaden minds, while the internet tends to narrow them. People usually look online for things that already interest them, and for views that they already hold, reinforcing prejudices. Newspapers, at their best, surprise you as you turn their pages, catching your eye with – and tempting you to read about – new subjects and differing opinions.
• And finally, thanks to Nick Doody for this:
"Human foot for sale. Ideal stocking filler."
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