Lib Dem support hits rock bottom
By Ian Dunt
The Liberal Democrats faced a depressing start to the political year today, after a poll of polls revealed the party’s support had hit rock bottom.
A weighted average of surveys from ComRes, ICM, Ipsos MORI and YouGov by the Independent put the party on just 11%, its lowest level since it was formed in 1988.
Nick Clegg became the most unpopular third party leader since David Owen led the Social Democratic party (SDP) in 1989.
Meanwhile, Labour retained a small lead over the Conservatives, on 40% compared to the Tories 38%.
If the results were repeated at a general election the Lib Dems would be reduced to 15 MPs from their current 57.
But even with the Conservatives retaining much of their support, the results are problematic for David Cameron. With much of the Lib Dems’ previous support going to Labour, the disintegration of his coalition partners presents serious problems for the prime minister.
Mr Cameron enjoyed a generally positive personal poll rating, with a net satisfaction rating of four per cent. Forty-eight per cent of people were satisfied with his performance while 44% were not.
Labour leader Ed Miliband continues to prompt a mixed reaction, with a modest net satisfaction rating of just one per cent. Thirty-five per cent of people are satisfied with his performance while 34% are dissatisfied. Opposition leaders rarely prompt such outspoken feelings and usually see many more people subscribe to the ‘don’t know’ option.
Mr Clegg faced a much tougher result, with a negative satisfaction rating of 12%. Thirty-eight per cent of people said they were satisfied with his performance while 50% said they were dissatisfied.
The Lib Dems instantly lost support when they entered coalition with the Conservatives, but the deterioration really kicked in after the June emergency Budget, when the party quickly lost three points.
A further five point fall followed the tuition fee row, which saw many Lib Dem MPs vote against their pre-election pledge to oppose any rise in the fees.
Meanwhile, the first YouGov poll of 2011 put Labour on 42%, the COnservatives on 40% and the Lib Dems on eight per cent.
