April 14, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - The governing Labour party is holding on to the lead in Britain's general election, according to a poll by MORI published in The Evening Standard. 39 per cent of respondents would vote for Labour in next month's ballot.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The governing Labour party is holding on to the lead in Britain's general election, according to a poll by MORI published in The Evening Standard. 39 per cent of respondents would vote for Labour in next month's ballot.

The Conservative party is in second place with 35 per cent, followed by the Liberal Democrats with 21 per cent. Five per cent of respondents would vote for other parties. The election is scheduled for May 5.

Yesterday, prime minister Tony Blair and chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown launched Labour's election manifesto, which includes the introduction of a points system for immigration and a pledge to refuse any income tax increases. Blair said the document aims to maintain a "modern, progressive New Labour party (...) that the British people can support with confidence."

Conservative leader Michael Howard dismissed the document, saying, "(Blair's) promises not to raise taxes aren't worth the paper they're written on."

Support for Labour dropped by one per cent, while backing for the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats increased by two per cent.

Polling Data

How would you vote if there were a general election tomorrow? Which party are you most inclined to support?
(Certain voters)

	Apr. 7-11	Apr. 7-9	Apr. 1-3
Labour	39%	40%	34%
Conservative	35%	33%	39%
Liberal Democrats	21%	19%	21%
Scottish National Party / Plaid Cymru	2%	3%	2%
Green Party	2%	2%	2%
UK Independence Party	1%	2%	2%
Other	--	1%	--

Source: MORI / The Evening Standard
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 1,793 British voters, conducted from Apr. 7 to Apr. 11, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.