Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

British Voters Split On Particular Issues

February 28, 2005
Abstract: (Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Voters in Britain believe the governing Labour party would do a better job on five key matters, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 37 per cent of respondents prefer Labour to handle the economy.

(Angus Reid Consultants - CPOD Global Scan) - Voters in Britain believe the governing Labour party would do a better job on five key matters, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 37 per cent of respondents prefer Labour to handle the economy.

Britain must renew the House of Commons by June 2006. There is growing speculation that an election will take place in May 2005. On Feb. 25, prime minister Tony Blair announced his government would increase the minimum wage to $9.64 U.S. an hour starting in October. At least 30 per cent of respondents believe Labour would do a better job in housing, the environment, the National Health Service and education.

The Conservative party has already presented a preliminary election platform. The plan includes a $7.2 billion U.S. tax cut, which would be implemented after a reduction in government spending. 39 per cent of respondents believe the Tories would do a better job on immigration, and at least 22 per cent prefer them on taxation, pensions and council tax.

The Liberal Democrats contemplate scrapping tuition fees, a 50 per cent tax for every person with a yearly income of $187,000 U.S. or higher, and a plan to introduce reforms to the electoral code that would end the first-past-the-post system. The party gets its highest numbers on environmental issues and council tax.

Polling Data

Which party would do a better job handling the following issues?

 

Lab.

Con.

L-D

Economy

37%

25%

7%

National Health Service

33%

22%

16%

Education, schools

32%

25%

17%

Housing

30%

18%

15%

Law and order

26%

36%

9%

Environment,
global warming

24%

12%

21%

Taxation

24%

30%

15%

Pensions

22%

28%

16%

Council tax

18%

22%

21%

Immigration, asylum

18%

39%

12%

Source: YouGov / Daily Telegraph
Methodology: Online interviews to 2,041 British adults, conducted from Feb. 22 to Feb. 24, 2005. No margin of error was provided.