The only things to be gained from larger sample sizes are a slightly smaller margin of error (though it is very much a case of diminishing returns) and the ability to do more detailled cross breaks.

> 4) They only interview 1000 people, you’d need to interview millions of people to make it accurate!

I take your point, but do you have any idea why German polling companies typically poll several thousands?

Christian

I would like to see a poll with 0% for all the main parties and then we might end up with politicians who actually care about the country and not themselves (please do not misinterpret this as me wanting a peripheral party, e.g. UKIP or BNP as the government). But for real political change in this country we need a massive turnout and a massive number of spoilt ballot papers. Then the political elite will have to sit up and notice. (by the way I am not really bothered about the expenses claims, it is just the way they treat the electorate as general idiots).

Neither Cameron or Brown fill me with excitement. Unfortunately Blair did, but I was young and naive then…

If I may…..I think that slightly simplifies the difference.

Cons most certainly intend to encourage growth ( NI reduction etc) . They have just received a report on restructuring manufacturing sector from Dyson.
.They are just less inclined to rely on forecast & unknown growth as the major factor in deficit reduction.-which I suggest Labour do.

All will ( hopefully) be revealed in the Budget-and it is my belief that one of the most critical figures will be the GDP growth forecast for 2011 & after.

If Darling insists on playing down spending reductions & relying on the already announced ( modest)tax increase revenues , plus growth-then the assumed rate of growth must be credible.

At present it stands at +3.5% pa.for 2011 & after This figure is considered over optimistic by some commentators.

We shall see if Darling sticks to it.