Lib Dems sidelined
The Liberal Democrats are losing out to the improved popularity of the Tories under Michael Howard, according to a new poll.
The Populus poll for The Times newspaper shows Labour picked up four points in December to climb to 40 per cent – the highest position since last May, whilst the resurgent Tories increased two points to 35 per cent – the party’s highest rating for more than a decade.
But Charles Kennedy’s Lib Dems slumped to 18 per cent, down four points, their lowest level since March 2002.
According to the poll, 19 per cent of interviewees thought Tony Blair would leave No 10 this year, while nearly a half (47 per cent) said Mr Howard would never become Prime Minister. A quarter thought the Tories under Mr Howard would win at the next general election.
A majority of voters believed Mr Blair would survive the aftermath of the Hutton report and the potential backbench over university top-up fees.
Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,002 adults aged 18 or over by telephone between January 2-4.
