Conservatives cut into Labour’s lead
The Conservatives have reeled in Labour’s lead to within three points, according to a new poll.
The ICM poll for The Guardian puts Labour on 37 per cent – down three percentage points on a poll taken in December.
Making up the difference are the Conservatives, up three to 34 per cent.
The Liberal Democrats are unchanged on 21 per cent.
The improvement for the Conservatives comes after Michael Howard launched a series of policy initiatives on crime, immigration and asylum, health and pensions. The new figures will reinforce Tony Blair’s message to his party that they can not afford to be complacent about the Tories or expect a third term in office.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown was viewed as Labour’s best electoral asset, with voters across all parties viewing him positively.
Among Labour voters the Prime Minister received strong support. Seventy-eight per cent saw Tony Blair as likeable, 85 per cent caring, 56 per cent in touch, and 59 per cent, “trustworthy”.
In terms of the spread across political party affiliations, half considered Mr Blair arrogant. Half saw him as likeable (49 per cent), caring (42 per cent), in touch (30 per cent) and trustworthy (30 per cent).
The poll also shows London Mayor Ken Livingstone, deputy leader John Prescott and Labour’s election chief, Mr Milburn, are regarded by voters as liabilities.
As for Mr Howard, 45 per cent of all voters view him as an electoral asset, with 35 per cent seeing him as a liability.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,013 adults aged 18 and over by telephone between 18 – 20 February.
