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Poll shows why Labour must get after Cameron

Brown should expose the popular Tory leader in debate

By George Eaton Published 06 October 2009 11:44

From the Conservative conference

Today's Times poll showing that David Cameron remains far more popular than his party has some important implications for Labour strategy. The Populus poll found that 68 per cent of voters view the party as unchanged under Cameron's leadership.

But the Conservatives have changed since Cameron became leader. They have become even more Eurosceptic. They have committed themselves to even more regressive tax cuts. It's up to Labour to ensure Cameron does not remain untainted by these developments.

While Labour is seen as more likely than the Conservatives (by 46 to 36 per cent) to protect front-line public services, this advantage is reversed when voters are asked to compare Gordon Brown with Cameron (42 to 45 per cent). Clearly Cameron's pledge to ring-fence NHS spending has had some impact. The Tory leader is even seen as more likely than Brown to spread "the burden of cuts fairly". Brown's disastrous decision to abolish the 10p tax rate did much to destroy his reputation for fairness.

Cameron is more popular than his party, and that is one of the main reasons why the Tories are so keen on the proposed television debates between party leaders. The more they can make the election seem like a presidential contest between Cameron and Brown, the more likely they are to win a large majority. But the debates would also provide Brown with a clear opportunity to expose Cameron as the reactionary he is, and it's one he'd be right to take.

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More from George Eaton

View the discussion thread.

10 comments

Tue, 2009-10-06 12:31 — equarleva

The Conservatives are already showing their true colours (an extremely dark shade of blue), with only a little probing from the media. Although there has been much talk about Brown's supposed inability when it comes to debating the issues, Cameron has already showed himself, despite his background in PR, to not be as calm and collected under mild pressure as predicted. Brown has a greater and deeper grasp of the issues, and should be able to use this greater knowledge in any forthcoming debates.

Tue, 2009-10-06 14:23 — iainmorse

Er...are we on the same planet? A 'debate' between Brown and Cameron will remind us of how exhausted Brown looks and is.. Recall Blair versus Major. Replace Brown with someone-anyone, really- and we might see Camerson bested but Brown- watching him is like watching an old bull, turning and circling in the ring...waiting for the coup de grace

Tue, 2009-10-06 16:39 — Ross (not verified)

"They have become even more Eurosceptic. They have committed themselves to even more regressive tax cuts. It's up to Labour to ensure Cameron does not remain untainted by these developments."

The slight flaw in your brilliant plan is that Euroscepticism is very popular, you could no more "taint" someone with Euroscepticism that you could "taint" them with having a great sense of humour.

Tue, 2009-10-06 16:54 — terence patrick hewett1

The Labour Party represents a ponderously sclerotic, state controlled, top down government, obsessed with interfering in every corner of peoples lives; and everybody wants shot of it. What this government cannot impose by force of legislation, it tries to achieve by sharp practice. Everybody knows what has to be done to put this country back on the rails, but the government is constrained through timidity and an inability to innovate.

Wed, 2009-10-07 02:19 — john (not verified)

Haha, the Tories are muppets! Do they really want to win the election? They're going a funny way about it.

1) Lowering taxes for business owners
2) Increasing the length we have to work by a year
3) Letting rich people keep their properties if they pay 8k one off payment for nursing care (who else can afford to give away 8k cash on they day they retire?)
4) Raising the threshold for interitance tax so rich familes can keep their property portfolios.

Just when Gordies gang looked like they'd shot their bolts along come the Real Tories, how we all remember them! (or would rather forget).

As usual theyre busy feathering their own nests, pension funds and business/property portfolio's whilst lecturing us on the need for our sacrifice.

Wed, 2009-10-07 02:20 — john (not verified)

Haha, the Tories are muppets! Do they really want to win the election? They're going a funny way about it.

Just when Gordies gang looked like they'd shot their bolts along come the Real Tories, how we all remember them! (or would rather forget).

As usual theyre busy feathering their own nests, pension funds and business/property portfolio's whilst lecturing us on the need for our sacrifice.

Wed, 2009-10-07 02:20 — john (not verified)

Haha, the Tories are muppets! Do they really want to win the election? They're going a funny way about it.

Just when Gordies gang looked like they'd shot their bolts along come the Real Tories, how we all remember them! (or would rather forget).

As usual theyre busy feathering their own nests, pension funds and business/property portfolio's whilst lecturing us on the need for our sacrifice.

Wed, 2009-10-07 02:22 — seldom glummer (not verified)

Wow, its great that the Tories are going to be elected because, as they are explaining, everything will be so much better. We will pay less taxes but health services, the environment and education are all going to get better and the economy is going to boom and we will pay off all of our national debt within a couple of years! I can't wait for May!

Now excuse me, I have to go to my garden shed and shoot myself

Thu, 2009-10-08 00:22 — Margaret Young (not verified)

Cameron is an ex PR man, a vacuum who rides on the back of any populist bandwagon, he doesn't have a clue about policy matters. Brown is intelligent and would outgun Shameron in every respect. Just watch the Marr interview what a weak faltering performance from the PR man Cameron.

Thu, 2009-10-08 01:12 — Jojo (not verified)

The whole British tax system should be reformed: fusion of all direct taxes with a 0%-marginal rate for the £0-£4,000 tier, 4% between £4,000-£6,000, 8% between £6,000-10,000, 15% between 10,000-15,000, 22% between 15,000-25,000, 30% for £25,000-£35,000, 40% for £35,000-50,000, 50% for £50,000-£100,000, 65% for £100,000-£200,000, 80% for £200,000+ including all revenues taxed individually - along with an increase of child benefits; scrap VAT; inheritance included is the income tax basis; businesses @20% for investments & 40% for dividends, and only indirect taxes remaining on tobacco/alcohol/polluting fuels.
And this at the European level.
One would live better.