Poll blow for Howard
Labour appears to have surmounted its mid-term electoral blues and looks set for an historic third term of office with a huge majority, according to a new opinion poll.
The poll for the Independent on Sunday found Michael Howard’s party floundering on 31 per cent, with Labour on 42. The Liberal Democrats were down on a lowly 20 per cent.
The poll carried out by Communicate Research suggested the Tories under Mr Howard were performing less well than under predecessors Iain Duncan Smith in his final days at the helm or William Hague.
Respondents also said the Lib Dems were “a more effective opposition” to the Government than the Tories.
A total of 44 per cent of voters said Charles Kennedy had achieved his aim of transforming his party into the Government’s effective opposition.
Only 41 per cent said the Tories remained the main opposition.
The survey found 42 per cent of voters expected the Tories to remain out of power for 10 years or more.
Communicate Research interviewed 1,033 adults by telephone on November 24-25.
