April 14, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Britain believe Tony Blair has been successful in providing a standard salary for workers, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 63 per cent of respondents say the introduction of the minimum wage has been one of the best proposals put forth by the prime minister.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Britain believe Tony Blair has been successful in providing a standard salary for workers, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 63 per cent of respondents say the introduction of the minimum wage has been one of the best proposals put forth by the prime minister.

Blair has been Britain's head of government since 1997. In April 1999, the Labour administration introduced the minimum wage for the first time. A general election is scheduled for May 5. On Feb. 25, Blair announced his government would increase the standard salary to $9.64 U.S. an hour starting in October.

Bringing down the country's unemployment rate, investing more in public services, achieving stable prices, and trying to raise international awareness of the dangers of global warming were also mentioned as positive activities.

As far as the most negative proposals of Blair's tenure, 66 per cent of respondents mention joining the coalition effort in Iraq, and 64 per cent believe the current government allows the media to have too much influence. Some respondents also said Blair has abandoned the traditional ideals and values of the Labour movement, has governed too much in the interests of big business and too little in the trade unions' interests, and has curbed the civil liberties of alleged terrorists.

Polling Data

Which two of the following do you think have been the best things the Blair government has done so far?

Introducing the minimum wage	63%
Bringing down unemployment	44%
Investing more in public services	38%
Achieving stable prices	27%
Trying to raise other countries' awareness of the dangers of global warming	21%

Which two of the following do you think have been the best worst the Blair government has done so far?

Joining America in the invasion of Iraq	66%
"Spinning" and allowing the media to have too much influence	64%
Abandoning the traditional ideals and values of the Labour movement	28%
Governing too much in the interests of big business and too little in the trade unions' interests	23%
Curbing the civil liberties of alleged terrorists	13%

Source: YouGov / Daily Telegraph
Methodology: Online interviews to 1,514 British adults, conducted from Apr. 8 to Apr. 10, 2005. No margin of error was provided.