Voters want concrete plans, not big visions
A revealing new poll published today by the TUC shows how voters feel about Labour and the Conservatives in the wake of the election.
The poll, conducted straight after the election by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, provides a valuable insight into voting habits, and will be a useful resource for Labour as they choose their new leader.
For example, 13 per cent of voters said that they considered voting Labour before eventually choosing another party. 35 per cent switched to the Conservatives, 23 to Liberal Democrats, 17 to UKIP and 14 to the Greens.
Among this group, the biggest doubts influencing their ultimate lack of faith were spending and the threat of the SNP. Just 8 per cent of this group said their doubts included Labour being ‘hostile to aspiration’.
Just 27 per cent of voters said they thought Labour had a good record in government, and they scored 31 for competence compared to the Tories’ 57.
In contrast, although only 30 per cent said they thought the Conservatives were on the side of ordinary people, compared to 61 per cent for Labour, 54 per cent of people said they thought the Conservatives had a good track record in government.
Voters were concerned that Labour could not deliver on a number of issues including:
- Economic trust: Labour is 39 points behind on economic trust despite the fact that the poll suggests Labour’s potential growth arguments were more persuasive to voters
- ‘Concrete plans’: By 77 to 15 voters are looking for ‘concrete plans for sensible change’ rather than ‘a big vision for radical change’ from parties.
- Big business and wealth: By 42 to 22 voters thought Labour was too soft on big business, rather than too tough. This figure rose to 50 to 15 among those voters who considered Labour.
- Immigration and identity: By 62 to 20 voters want Labour to be tougher on immigration rather than more positive.
Labour has retained its traditional strongpoint, the NHS, with a 17-point lead over the Conservatives on healthcare.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said today:
“What comes through is that this poll offers no simple set of solutions for a new Labour leader – the attitudes revealed are a fascinating mix that shows voters are on the left on some issues and on the right on others.
“The challenges Labour now faces are very different from those in the past. Voters back a lot of the trade union agenda on living standards and an economic policy based on investment and growth, rather than the deep cuts we now face. But on welfare and immigration their views are very challenging.”
The poll shows that, moving forward, Labour needs to think about a leader who projects an image of competence and toughness. Despite the unpopularity of Conservative cuts, they have been carried out with a confidence which seems to appeal to voters.
Ruby Stockham is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow her on Twitter
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13 Responses to “Poll shows that trust and competence are key for next Labour leader”
Mikee Heth
My take on a way forward for Labour: Key messages and
needed popular policies:
1) Defend Labour’s record on financial crisis, prevention
of financial depression was down to labour action on banks. Labour not
profligate but did rely on financial sector too much.
2) Make clear Tory cuts have created stagnation (low pay
economy) and ultimately worsens public finances (less tax receipts, more
benefits paid, less income to spend in economy). You cannot cut your way out of
a deficit.
3) Policy of national revival/new deal to deal with Tory
stagnation. Jobs, housing and income growth for working and middle class.
Public investment is needed to tackle structural budget deficit and will give
confidence to business to invest.
4) Labour promise to protect public services but control
day to day spend. Taxes on the wealthiest have to rise to pay for this. This is
reasonable and popular.
5) Support for business, rebalance the economy through a
well capitalised public investment bank but controls on business and teeth for
regulators where clearly needed eg finance and energy sector.
6) Message of support for immigration, people come here
to contribute and work alongside us. Immigrants help public finance and are
needed for an ageing population. Investment in services and housing vital in
areas with high immigration.
7) Action on inequality is popular eg action on zero hrs
contracts and rent controls. Reducing/removing student loans is clearly popular
as is keeping the NHS public.
Bold Popular Policies to Improve Economy, Public and
Personal Finances:
– Minimum wage equal to living wage for a decent life.
This means more spend for business and reduces benefit payments. Associated
policy of tax/ business rate reduction for small business.
– Investment in massive social housing build to house
working people and address immigration concerns. Reduces housing benefit.
– Huge investment in green energy/conservation to tackle
energy bills and climate change.
– Big investment in HMRC staff to tackle tax evasion and
avoidance.
These will mean more jobs for working and middle class,
incomes up, deficit down and a way out of stagnation for all.
Above all a really positive message of hope and
alternative is needed. A new deal, a national revival, investment in our
future.
Patrick Nelson
I don’t know about whether he or Burnham has the higher level of integrity, but I don’t think people should Frank Field a closet Tory either. He very open about the one or two things he has in common with some of the Tories, just as he is about his environmentalist concerns. Someone could just as easily call him closet Green, but as he is quite open about both things neither accusation would make any sense.
Robert
You have to love it after the mess polls made of the election, what do they do go for another poll.