A poll has found that more Tory voters believe Cameron should allow a referendum on voting reform than hold up the Bill in the Lords, by 45%:32%.
Following the shrinking of his poll lead to just two points yesterday, David Cameron has come under further poll pressure – this time from Conservative voters. A YouGov/Vote For A Change survey has found that more Tory voters believe Cameron should allow a referendum on voting reform than hold up the Bill in the Lords, by 45:32.
The survey also revealed only 16 per cent of the public as a whole thought Cameron was right to hold up the bill’s passage, with only 8 per cent of Labour and Lib Dem voters opposed to a referendum.
Willie Sullivan, campaign director of Vote For A Change, said:
“David Cameron’s got it wrong on voting reform. And even his own voters think so. He needs your votes to be our next Prime Minister, but he’s not prepared to give you a say on the future of your democracy. Trust is a two-way street.
“Voters want a debate. Conservative supporters want a debate. But David Cameron doesn’t. He needs to have a little more faith in his arguments and in the common sense of the voting public.”
Of more interest to Gordon Brown, however, will be the positive impact of his plans, the poll revealing 20 per cent of all voters are more likely to vote Labour as a result of his referendum pledge, against 11 per cent less likely. Among Liberal Democrat voters, the figure is 34 per cent more likely to vote Labour, only 7 per cent less likely.
When asked about reform of the Lords, the pattern is repeated. Fewer Conservative voters backed David Cameron’s plans that new hereditary peers should continue to be brought in to maintain their number at 92, by 46:42; overall, only 23 per cent of the public support Cameron’s plans.
Sullivan adds:
“In a matter of weeks this referendum faces a new barrier – The House of Lords. Cameron shouldn’t let his unelected friends in that Medieval Chamber block the modernisation of a Victorian one.”
Left Foot Forward doesn't have the backing of big business or billionaires. We rely on the kind and generous support of ordinary people like you.
You can support hard-hitting journalism that holds the right to account, provides a forum for debate among progressives, and covers the stories the rest of the media ignore. Donate today.
30 Responses to “Further poll woe for Cameron: Tory voters favour electoral reform referendum”
Robert Sprigge
RT @leftfootfwd: Further poll woe for Cameron: Tory voters favour electoral reform referendum: http://cli.gs/VnZDn
fairvoteubc
RT @electoralreform: RT @leftfootfwd: Further poll woe for Cameron: Tory voters favour electoral reform referendum: http://cli.gs/VnZDn
Vote For A Change
@BevaniteEllie It's the party who don't want voting reform – they don't even speak for their voters http://cli.gs/VnZDn 3rd reading tonight
Nearly half of Welsh voters back Labour on the economy | Left Foot Forward
[…] had closed the gap on the Conservatives to 2%, and yesterday’s poll, which Left Foot Forward reported, that showed more voters – of all persuasions – opposed David Cameron’s attempts […]
Daily View 2×2 6 March: featuring Iraq, how parties are campaigning and the best pothole photo EVER | Mark Pack
[…] psephology corner: Conservative voters favour electoral reform. Should someone tell the […]