Mehdi Hasan

Mehdi Hasan’s polemical take on politics, economics and foreign affairs

The Tories are in trouble

A new YouGov poll shows just how bad the situation has become for the governing party.

By Mehdi Hasan Published 29 April 2012 10:22

Source: Getty Images

David Cameron's interview on the Andrew Marr show this morning was billed as his opportunity to "come out fighting". I'm not sure it was quite the Muhammad Ali performance some suggested it might be; the Prime Minister will have to say and do a lot more to try and get us all to stop talking about Jeremy Hunt, Rupert Murdoch and Christmas dinners with Rebekah Brooks.

Meanwhile, a new poll for today's Sunday Times shows the Tories are at their "lowest ebb for 8 years":

THE prime minister is facing his gravest political crisis since entering Downing Street as the Conservatives plummet in the polls.

A devastating YouGov poll today reveals that support for the Tories has dropped to 29%, the lowest level since 2004.

After a turbulent month during which key measures in the budget unravelled, the government presided over a series of domestic fiascos and the economy returned to recession, David Cameron’s personal approval ratings have collapsed.

The only other prime minister to have suffered such a rapid loss in popularity in recent times is Gordon Brown after he scrapped plans to hold a snap election.

Cameron as the new Brown? Is this the trye legacy of phone hacking?

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Tags: David Cameron Rupert Murdoch Phone hacking scandal Gordon Brown

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22 comments

Thu, 2012-07-19 10:23 — bnhygu (not verified)

bvmnqocv

Tue, 2012-07-17 23:18 — eupbonwg (not verified)

derqxs

Sun, 2012-07-01 19:46 — tyfyxvde (not verified)

orimyqnx

Sun, 2012-07-01 19:45 — pnwpornj (not verified)

ctwoxz

Tue, 2012-05-01 01:43 — New Stateswoman (not verified)

I think some people who make comments here are forgetting there are hundreds if not thousands of others reading these comments, and they are highly offensive. I am angered that NS have not deleted such offensive comments and banned the commentators from commenting.

In response to the article, it seems that David Cameron has forgotten that the majority of voters are poor. He has done NOTHING to win them over.Even if they were to give up their weekly bingo or three pints of beer, it would not be enough to fund an annual holiday at a British seaside resort for two. What choice have they for any relief of their situation, when they have their income stripped down to the minimum? Obviously, there is deep resentment settling in.

Tue, 2012-05-01 01:35 — Quattro Man (not verified)

Another "cut and paste" special from Mehdi, so sad, is this really the best you can do?

Cameron once again showed just how good he is. What a performance in the house of commons yesterday. Millipede, well, mincemeat again.

Quote all the polls you like, if an election was called tomorrow, Labour would be destroroyd, they have the wrong leader and the wrong strategy, long may it continnue.

You had your chance, and you blew it.....and we don't forget....dream on.

Hoorah!

Mon, 2012-04-30 14:12 — Indu Pendent

Mehdi

This has been the top story on Google for a couple of days and yet on NS its low down on the priority list. Are you worried about something - is there something you know?

Mon, 2012-04-30 12:56 — Herbert (not verified)

The number of double posts that appear on these threads suggests there is something badly wrong with the new system.

Mon, 2012-04-30 09:51 — Arturo Bandini (not verified)

The wheels are aff the bogey!

Sun, 2012-04-29 20:59 — hugh markey (not verified)

At the first hint of union interference, real or imagined, the British electorate which is still pretty skittish will to jerk the reins free from its Labour stable lad, Ed Milliband, and bolt. .
The Tories think they have located the voting public's funny bone and will play the Cain and Able Milliband story for all its worth.
Personalities not policies will be their ploy. It could work as there are still a hell of a lot of working class Tories about looking for an excuse not to vote the common Labour way.
Fear is the key to the next election. Are the electorate frightened enough to vote Labour?

Bettin Man

Tue, 2012-05-01 13:37 — New Stateswoman (not verified)

There are "a hell of a lot of working class Tories" with a ready excuse not to vote Conservative.

Tue, 2012-05-01 13:37 — New Stateswoman (not verified)

There are "a hell of a lot of working class Tories" with a ready excuse not to vote Conservative.

Tue, 2012-05-01 13:37 — New Stateswoman (not verified)

There are "a hell of a lot of working class Tories" with a ready excuse not to vote Conservative.