UKIP’s lead in the seat is up from the 9-point lead it had in a similar poll published earlier this month.
UKIP’s lead in the seat is up from the 9-point lead it had in a similar poll published earlier this month
Conservative HQ will this morning be feeling jittering thanks to a new poll by ComRes in the Rochester and Strood constituency published last night.
Ahead of the by-election on the 20 November, triggered by the defecation to UKIP of the sitting Conservative MP Mark Reckless on the eve of the Conservative Party conference, UKIP enjoys a 13 percentage point lead over the Conservatives, with UKIP on 43 per cent, the Conservatives on 30 per cent and Labour on 21 per cent.
UKIP’s lead in the seat is up from the 9-point lead it had in a similar poll published by Survation earlier this month.
Interestingly, 39 per cent of those in the seat who voted Conservative in 2010 now plan to vote UKIP in the by-election, as do 39 per cent of 2010 Lib Dem voters and 30 per cent of 2010 Labour voters. Over half (57 per cent) of people who did not vote in 2010 say they intend to vote UKIP.
Asked how favourably they viewed various politicians and parties, Boris Johnson came out on top, with 48 per cent saying they had a favourable opinion of him, followed by 46 per cent who viewed David Cameron positively.
42 per cent said the same about UKIP candidate Mark Reckless and 40 per cent said they have a favourable opinion of Nigel Farage. When asked about how favourably they viewed the Conservatives and UKIP, UKIP came out on top – 48 per cent to 44 per cent.
Interestingly, with 46 per cent of people viewing Mark Reckless unfavourably, he is less unpopular than David Camerom, who 49 per cent view unfavourably.
The poll findings also suggest that the Conservative’s strategy ahead of the election could backfire.
With Conservative MPs and ministers under orders to blitz the constituency, 66 per cent of voters in Rochester and Strood felt that sending so many politicians into the seat meant the Conservatives were desperate.
Likewise, despite the personal attacks aimed at Mark Reckless during the Conservative conference, after his defection 50 per cent of voters said he was being unfairly treated by his former Tory colleagues, compared to 40 per cent who disagreed.
53 per cent felt that Reckless had done the principled thing in defecting to UKIP, compared to 37 per cent who disagreed.
Likewise, despite Grant Shapps’ scare tactic in suggesting that a vote for UKIP would help Labour, just 38 per cent agreed, with 54 per cent disagreeing.
At 47 per cent both agreeing and disagreeing, views were evenly split as to whether the people of Rochester and Strood could trust David Cameron’s promise of a referendum on EU membership if he wins an outright majority next May.
Ed Jacobs is a contributing editor to Left Foot Forward
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13 Responses to “UKIP continue to lead in Rochester and Strood”
The_Average_Joe_UK
Hello liar, any thoughts on how a socialist provides jobs and growth? Or is it another Goebbels spin and BS day?
Margaret Smith
I would call on everyone to help deliver flyers, meet the public and blog, tweet etc that http://www.peoplebeforeprofit.org.uk have awesome anti cuts agenda and policys for the 99% Nick Long a Union man and life long Housing activist is the FAB candidate .. the Left must be unted. PB4P do amazing stuff in South London, they have vision, ideas and get shed loads of votes, i urge every one opposed to state control and facism go to website or follow NICK LONG on twitter@nichopbp This is not the time 2B secterian or allow personality politics to rule. we have a very real fight challenging the right and its march of popularity…I would call on every one reading this to get of the Sofa and onto to the streets of #rochesterandstrood.
Every Vote for People before Profit is crucial to stop Labour marching more to the right..
Margaret Smith
The only real choice if you read all the voters issue concerns, is http://www.peoplebeforeprofit.org..uk they have a Union candidate who works in Housing understands the issues that matter is is not a bigot or ignorent, if he secured just 25% of the media coverage would be in with a chance..