The Independent Political Poll

The latest political poll on behalf of The Independent.

Date Published: 31 Oct 2011

Categories: Energy | Europe | Media | Politics | Public and communities | Technology & Telecoms

Description

A majority of voters regard the Conservatives as more divided than the last Labour Government amid the party’s public rows over Europe, according to a ComRes survey for The Independent.

Some 56 per cent of the public --including  38 per cent of Tory supporters-- believe that the Tories are now more divided than the previous government, while 32 per cent of people disagree.

The Tories’ heated debate over the European Union appears to be damaging the party’s ratings. Labour has doubled its lead to four points since the last ComRes survey for The Independent on Sunday two weeks ago. The Tories have slipped three points to 34 per cent, while Labour is down one point to 38 per cent and the Liberal Democrats are up four points to 14 per cent.  Other parties are unchanged on 14 per cent.

According to ComRes, David Cameron’s reluctance to call a referendum on Europe puts him at odds with the public. Three in four voters (75 per cent) would like the opportunity to vote in a referendum on Britain’s relationship with the EU, while 17 per cent disagree.

A majority of people (55 per cent) believe Mr Cameron is out of touch with public opinion on Europe, while 33 per cent disagree.

Only 27 per cent of the public believe that the UK gets a good deal from being a member of the EU, while 60 per cent disagree.

ComRes surveyed 1,001 GB adults by telephone between October 28-30, 2011.  Data were weighted to be demographically representative of the population and by past vote recall.  ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.