The ComRes survey suggests that Labour could lose centre-ground votes to Farage.
The ComRes survey suggests that Labour could lose centre-ground votes to Farage
A shocking poll published in the Independent yesterday showed that voters view the Conservatives as more right wing than UKIP.
The poll, carried out by ComRes for the Sunday Mirror and the Independent on Sunday, asked people to position themselves on a political spectrum from 0 to 10, with 0 meaning ‘very left wing’ and 10 meaning ‘very right wing’.
On this scale, UKIP’s average score was 6.6, while the Conservatives’ was 6.9. The Liberal Democrats were placed at 4.9, and Labour at 4.1.
There were some interesting disparities between the positioning of parties and their leaders; David Cameron’s average score was 6.8 and Nick Clegg’s 5.1, showing how the coalition government has compromised the standing of both leaders with their respective supporters.
Ed Miliband scored 4.1 along with his party, and Nigel Farage scored 6.6. The Green Party is viewed as the most left wing, with an average score of 4.06.
Interestingly, Conservative voters consider the Conservatives more right-wing than UKIP voters consider UKIP. Conservatives also view themselves as more right wing than UKIP voters consider themselves.
This suggests that there are shifting perspectives about the definition of right wing. The perceived elitism of the Tories and the perceived racism of UKIP seem to be equal contenders for what it means to be right wing in modern Britain.
The average voter placed themselves at 5.3, just right of centre.
The poll shows that the Labour party are perceived as being closer to the average person than the Conservatives, who are considered more right wing than Prince Charles. However the poll could still spell bad news for Milband’s party, as it suggests that UKIP are beginning to encroach on centre-left voters.
When given a choice of Cameron, Miliband, Clegg, Farage and Boris Johnson, 43 per cent of those questioned said they would choose to have a meal with Boris Johnson, compared to 15 per cent who chose Miliband. Boris was also the most popular choice to have on a pub quiz team, and to have as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
29 per cent said that they would choose David Cameron to give them first aid in an emergency, compared with 21 per cent who chose Ed Miliband and 25 per cent who chose Nick Clegg.
Ed Miliband scored better on social issues, with 26 per cent of those questioned choosing the Labour leader to give advice to the poor on how to feed themselves, and 33 per cent choosing him to improve standards for working people.
Only three per cent of people who intend to vote for the Conservatives would most like to have a meal with Ed Miliband, and four per cent of Labour voters would choose to dine with Cameron.
A huge 44 per cent of people questioned said they would choose to spend Christmas with Boris Johnson, but only 15 per cent would choose him to administer first aid in an emergency.
The poll highlights the fact that being popular and being trusted do not always go hand in hand, and shows how unpredictable the election results remain.
Ruby Stockham is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow her on Twitter
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22 Responses to “Poll shows that Conservatives are now considered more right wing than UKIP”
Blakenburg
Who mentioned blocking other parties policies ??????? It was down to them to bring in policies which attracted the Electorate. They did not, so it was the new party named UKIP that introduced them. hence the support UKIP receives. And they are not Right Wing nor Left Wing !
Blakenburg
There has been more Far Right in the Labour Party, where BNP members became Labour Councillors !
Blakenburg
Yes, UKIP is a broad church and does indeed attracts people , (not attack people as you wrote,) across the political spectrum. Many more will come to the UKIP camp, but loyalties to the other party holds them back for a while until such time they say enough is enough and then they wll say ”Should have joined UKIP a long time ago” !
Blakenburg
Only the Left Politicians are not standing because they are frightened of their own shadow to do so. It is their ordinary supporters that wish to stand on the policy of EU Exit !
Leon Wolfeson
Keep making up nonsense, it’s your right who are afraid of those nasty Europeans.