The YouGov survey for Channel 4 News was released as thousands of protesters gathered in London to call on the Government to bring the 9,000-strong British force in Afghanistan home.
Today’s poll uncovered a much more pessimistic attitude towards the conflict than in a similar survey in 2007, when 36% said that victory was not possible.
Just 6% of those taking part in today’s poll said that British troops were winning the war, compared with 36% who said they were not winning yet but eventual victory was possible, and 48% who said that victory was not possible.
The figures suggested an overwhelming 84% believe that British troops are not winning the war with Taliban militias at present.
Asked when British troops should be brought home from Afghanistan, 25% said “immediately” and 37% said most should be withdrawn soon, with the remainder pulling out within a year or so.
Some 29% said the UK force should remain “as long as Afghanistan’s Government wants them there”, compared with the total 62% who wanted them withdrawn immediately or in the coming year.
The poll suggests that the public mood is at odds with Government policy that Britain and its Nato allies should see through their mission in Afghanistan and keep troops in the country until responsibility for its security can be handed over to home-grown forces in a process known as Afghanisation.
Only last week, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was ready to send a further 500 troops, so long as they could be properly equipped and form part of a Nato-wide reinforcement with each ally bearing its “fair share”.
YouGov questioned 2,042 adults for Channel 4 News on October 22 and 23.
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