Public opinion shifting against cuts
By politics.co.uk staff
Two polls have shown a distinct rise in public opposition to spending cuts, although the political ramifications remain unclear.
ICM’s poll for the Guardian showed 52% thinking the cuts were unfair, while 48% thought they went too far.
However, opposition is not overwhelming, with fully 44% agreeing that the cuts were fair, 36% thinking they were right – and eight per cent arguing they didn’t go far enough.
ICM showed no significant changes in voting intention either, with the Tories maintaining a three point lead over Labour, suggesting a collapse in support for the government has not materialised as a result of the spending review itself.
Populus, in the Times, showed a picture more favourable to the opposition, putting Labour in the lead (by 38% to 37%) for the first time in three years.
The poll also showed a larger proportion (58%) saying that the cuts were unfair.
Both polls saw the Lib Dems hovering at 15-16%, not as low as some previous polling, but still representing a sharp drop since the election.
All of which paints an unclear picture. While public support for the cuts is beginning to ebb, this doesn’t seem to have caused an immediate sea change in government support.
Growth figures out today reveal a healthier picture for the UK economy than had been expected. What effect this will have on the public mood in the current atmosphere of uncertainty remains to be seen.
