By IRNA
London : Britons tend to have much more left-wing views than their American cousins, according to a new survey comparing public attitudes in both countries that claim to have a special relationship.
The gap between the two nationals was the widest on religion, with Britons seen as part of a post-Christian society and Americans trying to rediscover the faith of their fathers.
The poll, carried out for the Economist magazine, also found a gulf of opinion with regard to military action against another country, with only 8 per cent of Americans saying it should be taken only if with UN approval compared with 26 per cent of Britons.
There was a largest gap on the Afghan war with only 28 per cent of Britons believing troops should stay until the country was stable and secure against 44 per cent of Americans.
Britons were also more include to favour an immediate withdrawal or by the end of the year.
The gulf was smaller regarding Iraq with 33 per cent of Americans and 28 per cent of Britons saying troops should stay until the country was secure.
The issue of Iraq was found to have far less political significance in Britain, with just 7 per cent saying it was an important issue compared with 32 per cent of Americans.
There was also a large difference in how the two people viewed the special relationship between the countries, with 46 per cent of Britons believing it was not very close or close at all against only 9 per cent of Americans with similar attitudes.
The gulf on religion was highlighted by more than twice as many Americans, 80 per cent, believing in God compared with 39 per cent of Britons.
Over half of Americans also thought religion was very important to their lives against less than a quarter of Britons.
There was also a gulf in how the two nations had belief in journalists with 34 per cent of Americans saying they had a great deal of trust or to some extent against 20 per cent of Britons.
Views were reversed with regard to university professors with 59 per cent of American having a great deal or some trust compared to a more overwhelming 71 per cent of Britons.