PM’s credibility hit by Kelly death, poll finds
Prime Minister Tony Blair should make way for a new leader, according to new poll.
The YouGov poll for The Mail on Sunday suggested there was little way back for the beleaguered PM whose leadership appears irredeemably damaged from the aftermath of the apparent suicide of Dr David Kelly and the resultant judicial inquiry led by Lord Hutton.
With the first phase of the inquiry over, 43 per cent of voters said Mr Blair ought to go, compared with 37 per cent before the hearing started.
A total of 42 per cent believed he should stay in office. 15 per cent said they were unsure.
It is worse for Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. A total of 62 per cent called for his resignation. Only 14 per cent wanting him to stay.
A total of forty-nine per cent believed coalition forces were broadly right to wage war in Iraq.
41 per cent said they thought Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction when military action began back in March. 37 per cent thought Saddam Hussein held WMDs.
At his monthly press conference, the PM said: “I carry on doing the job because I believe in what I am doing.”
He added: “This has been a difficult time not just for the government but for the country over Iraq.
“My opinion has not changed. When I say it has not changed that does not mean disrespect those who take a different view.”
