Lib Dems' popularity a casualty of hostilities

Telegraph Group Limited 2003. ^ | (Filed: 28/03/2003) | Anthony King

[dgallo51]

Lib Dems' popularity a casualty of hostilities By Anthony King (Filed: 28/03/2003)

The war in Iraq has boosted Labour and the Tories but inflicted serious damage on the Liberal Democrats, according to YouGov's monthly tracking poll for The Telegraph.

Before the war began, the Liberal Democrats' anti-war stance seemed to accord with public opinion but views have changed and the Liberal Democrats have suffered accordingly.

As the figures in the main panel indicate, 40 per cent of voters now say they would back Labour in an early general election and 33 per cent the Conservatives. Labour has gained five points since last month, the Conservatives two. It is the Liberal Democrats who have been squeezed. Their support has fallen by six points from 26 per cent in late February to only 20 per cent now, almost a quarter in only four weeks.

Charles Kennedy's personal standing has also suffered. A month ago 23 per cent of voters thought the Liberal Democrat leader "would make the best Prime Minister". At that time he stood head and shoulders above Iain Duncan Smith. Now, as the figures in the panel show, Mr Kennedy's stature has been reduced to that of the Tory leader.

Predictably, the principal beneficiary has been Tony Blair, who millions clearly think has grown into his role as war leader. Mr Blair is still not nearly as highly regarded as he was in Labour's halcyon days but, according to YouGov, the proportion "satisfied" with him as Prime Minister has surged from only 34 per cent last month to 43 per cent now.

That said, 51 per cent of voters still say they are "dissatisfied" with his performance and there is no reason to think the present boost to the Prime Minister's standing will outlast the war.

YouGov elicited the opinions of 2,282 adults across Britain on-line on March 26 and 27.

[dgallo51]

Someone tell Tommy Daschle, (D-UN) he is an insignificant worm!

[rj45mis]

He'll find out..though not soon enough to suit me.

[Mister Baredog]

Before the war began, the Liberal Democrats' anti-war stance seemed to accord with public opinion but views have changed and the Liberal Democrats have suffered accordingly

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Blackyce]

An online poll as news, you've got to be kidding me.

[Cicero]

This sounds likely enough to me. The details aren't given, but evidently it was a standard sampling poll, not an on-line poll.

It was predictable that Blair's popularity would increase after the war started. In fact, by urging Bush to delay, he was only damaging himself and giving his enemies more time to undermine him. Once the war started, they lost their traction.