Poll boost for Labour’s economics
Public perception of Labour’s handling of the economy is beginning to improve, according to a new Mori poll.
Moris’ quarterly delivery index for the Financial Times found that Labour now has a zero net rating on the economy – out of negative territory for the first time in nearly three years.
Forty-three per cent of interviewees agreed to the proposition “in the long term, the Government’s policies will improve the state of Britain’s economy”.
But the same figure also disagreed, while 14 per cent said they didn’t know.
The over-55s and professionals in demographic classes A and B were more optimistic about the economic future under Labour, Mori noted.
But, public confidence in Labour’s handling of the economy is still well down from the +31 per cent they enjoyed in 1997 and the +12 per cent in March 2001.
Mori interviewed 963 adults between February 25 and 28.
Labour has been campaigning hard on the issue of the economy, seeking to compare its record of economic stability with the recessions and unemployment under the previous Conservative government.
But, the Conservatives claim Labour will have to raise taxes if it wins the election to plug a gaping black hole in the nation’s finances.
Mr Brown will deliver his budget on March 16.
