Labour frustrated in latest poll
Labour has failed to reduce its deficit against the Conservatives despite the ongoing global financial crisis, the latest Guardian/ICM poll suggests.
The voting intentions survey sees both the Tories and Labour unchanged on last month’s figures, which put David Cameron’s party 12 points ahead of Gordon Brown’s on 42 per cent to 30 per cent.
This appears starkly in opposition to a series of surveys released over the weekend which shows the governing party making gains against the Tory lead.
An ICM poll for News of the World put the lead at eight per cent, while a ComRes poll saw Labour narrow the gap by three points.
Analysts are waiting to see whether Mr Brown’s party is boosted from his performance during the ongoing turmoil in the financial crisis.
Britain has attracted praise from many international commentators for its swift action to shore up banks’ liquidity and many have expected Labour’s ratings to be boosted as a result.
Today’s poll puts this in doubt, however, with Labour still facing a double-digit lead by the Conservatives.
The big winner from the Guardian’s poll, meanwhile, appears to be the Liberal Democrats. Nick Clegg’s party have received a four-point bump to 21 per cent – among the highest rating enjoyed by Britain’s third party since he became leader.
