Comments on: Ipsos MORI show Labour back in the lead

By: john t t

john t t — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:00:01 +0000

The votes they might win by doing so are already theirs.
The middle class is the majority (though pretty well split politically)

The “third way” was all about abandoning ideology in favour of follwing that majority. In doing that, Blair alienated those to the left of him politically AND those to the right.

I’m part of the middle class, and I’m hoping against hope that “we” will in future provide polling companies with data that allows future Govts to apply relef where it’s most needed, not just where it’s most visible.

By: Steven Wheeler (Lab)

Steven Wheeler (Lab) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:29:55 +0000

I totally agree John. In fairness the announcements on child benefits etc were welcome but I kind of resent the fact that my taxes went up (albeit slightly) while multi-millionaires had there cut (IHT etc). I guess I’m just whinging, I know it’s all politics and if GB didn’t try and pacify the middle classes then he wouldn’t be in power to make the changes I really do care about. It just irritates me that it’s so rare to hear anyone on the front bench really (vocally) standing up for Labour values.

By: john t t

john t t — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:29:45 +0000

If he hadn’t announced it, there would have been reason to complain. However, he did announce it.

If the 10p band hadn’t been introduced by Brown, but a 2p cut instead at the time(it costs almost the same) then accusations of “con-tricks” would have been avoided.

A more progressive tax cut would have been to raise lower thresholds , but the target always seems to be the middle class voter.

By: Peregrine Thornley

Peregrine Thornley — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:09:05 +0000

I’m old enough to remember the years before Labour lost power both in 1970 and 1979. In the four years before 1970, Labour lost 17 seats in parliamentary by-elections and were way behind in the opinion polls for a long period of time. Something similar happened in the years 1976-79.
If the Tories were on course to win next time, you would expect them to win by-elections (not come third) and to have a large and enduring opinion poll lead. On top of that, they have no real power bases in the large northern cities. The Tories have an enormous mountain to climb, needing to gain 130 new seats to get a wafer-thin majority. In my opinion, these are “mid term blues” and Labour will win the next election, probably with a 20-30 majority.

By: Colin

Colin — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:41:28 +0000

Thanks Steven-I missed it.

It was the theatricals at the end which live in my memory.