Political Poll for The Independent

Voting intention and political attitudes poll for The Independent published 28 September 2009.

Date Published: 27 Sep 2009

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

Description

Labour could head off a general election defeat by ousting Gordon Brown, according to a survey for The Independent.

ComRes found that Labour would do better under all eight alternative leaders whose support it tested with the public than under Mr Brown. Under David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, and Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, Labour would be the largest party in a hung parliament, raising hopes that it cling on to power for a fourth term.

According to ComRes, the Tories would be the largest party in a hung parliament, but still deprived of an overall majority, if Labour were led by Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary; Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary; Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary; Harriet Harman, the Commons Leader and Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary.

But David Cameron would win a majority of 24 under backbencher Jon Cruddas and 48 if Mr Brown leads Labour into the election.

Labour is neck and neck with the Liberal Democrats for the first time in a ComRes poll. Both parties are on 23 per cent, with the Tories on 38 per cent and other parties on 16 per cent. The Liberal Democrats are up two points on last month, the Tories down two, while Labour is down one point and other parties up one.

How would you vote if the following was Labour leader?

 

David Miliband	33%	28%	21%	19%	Lab 47 short
Jack Straw	31%	28%	21%	18%	Lab 32 short
Ed Miliband	33%	27%	21%	19%	Con 41 short
Ed Balls	34%	25%	22%	19%	Con 18 short
Alan Johnson	34%	24%	22%	19%	Con 14 short
Harriet Harman	35%	26%	21%	19%	Con 14 short
Peter Mandelson	35%	24%	22%	18%	Con 3 short
Jon Cruddas	36%	23%	23%	19%	Con maj 24
Gordon Brown	38%	23%	23%	16%	Con maj 48

ComRes telephoned 1003 GB adults between 25 and 27 September 2009