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Battering for Brown as Cameron polls 52%
Joe Murphy, Political Editor18.09.08
Labour panic increased today as a landmark poll gave David Cameron a massive 52 per cent rating.
The Mori poll had Labour trailing on a dismal 24 per cent - some 28 points behind and facing wipe-out at a general election.
It was the best Conservative showing since the heyday of Margaret Thatcher and showed Mr Cameron taking votes from both Labour and Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, who were down four points to 12 per cent.
It came as former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn urged Labour to embrace "change" - taken by MPs as a coded pitch for a leadership contest. "The willingness to change is what has made New Labour so dominant in British politics and forced even our most strident opponents into contemplating changes they once thought abhorrent," he wrote in an article for the Blairite group Progress. "Now change beckons once again." He criticised the "splurge of Whitehall initiatives" and urged greater "clarity".
There were more claims that Gordon Brown's authority was being weakened by criticism of his leadership, including fresh leaks from Tuesday's political Cabinet meeting.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears was identified as the minister who asked why the Cabinet was focusing on perceived chinks in the Tory armour rather than on Labour's own weaknesses.
One member was quoted in the Guardian as saying the tenor of the discussion was "bizarre and a denial of reality as we sat listening to how deep down David Cameron is not really popular".
Another said it was "a dreadful misjudgment" to dwell on the Conservatives and seemed complacent.
Yesterday's Standard disclosed the dissent at the meeting and that the Commons aide to Business Secretary John Hutton, Eric Joyce, is planning to resign in order to speak out against Mr Brown.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell raised eyebrows in an interview today saying that it would be "ridiculous" to criticise rebels worried about Labour's plunging poll ratings. He admitted he shared their concern.
Today's Mori survey found 54 per cent agreed that Mr Cameron's party was ready to form the next government - up by 19 points since last month.
Three quarters were dissatisfied with the way Labour was running the country and two thirds were unhappy with Mr Brown's performance.
But there was scepticism about both parties. Voters thought Labour more likely than the Tories to "promise anything to win votes", by a margin of 40 per cent to 36 per cent.
Meanwhile there was speculation among MPs today that Mr Brown might call a "back me or sack me" leadership contest if the party loses the Glenrothes by-election.
Asked on GMTV if he should take the step, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith replied: "No."
She denied that ministers were plotting against the leadership, adding: "What matters to me when I get up in the morning is thinking what am I going to do today to help the British people feel safer on the streets."
Reader views (19)
Duncan Walker,
It's sad that you are already judging Brown as History. A week is too long in Politics. We have got 18months to go. Please don't forget we have a parliamentary system . The party with a majority in the house forms the government. What if your MP is a hard working man , would you vote against him because of Brown. The problem we have today is that people are mistaken the parliamentary system for presidential. God save us we don't need life in the UK test We need teaching voters our political system.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney London
We all have short memories sadly. A year ago Brown was the best person to lead this country so is the beleaguer Tottenham boss Juande Ramos who was a hero not so long ago. Its a shame that people remember Gordon only in terms of the 10p tax. People used to earned £1.00 an hour to make matters worst the Tories were against the minimum wage, the NHS, just to name a few. The Labour party is not about Brown or Blair. It is about how we can eleviate porverty. This is examplified in governments's Tax credit, In Work Credit,create empolyment etc. What do we want Brown to do ? I still believe Brown is the man to lead this Country. If we don't want Brown then there is no alternative.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney London
Alex you see to be as delusional as the rest of the Labour party. To say that this man has done so much to hep the poor says it all. This is the man that stole your pension, sold OUR gold when it was at its lowest price in history, Taxed everybody more than ever and doubled the tax of the poorest paid peple in the country. The polls you so easily dismiss show just how much people detest our unelected despot. As for the MP's trying to unseat him, ahhhh what was he doing to Blair for all those years, exacly what he's complaning about now. He will go down in history as the worst PM ever and the man that destroyed the Labour party
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Samui Thailand
"years of decline and mismanagement" - Gordon Brown was one of the most successful Chancellors we have had plus until recently the economy was on a sound footing. So I don't know R.M gets their information from? We shouldn't forget the economic problems are largely driven by market manipulation and or global.
- Linda, Se4, london
Alex Lisinge,
How would you consider that Brown was expecting to help the poor working people by discontinuing the 10% tax take & reducing by 2% the next band of tax. The only reason this could have been considered was that it was intended as bribe to the middle class for the election that never was. I dreaded Brown taking over from Bliar as things could only get worse with his extreme left wing views.
Phil
- Phil Taylor, Sevenoaks kent
God help us, Cameron is in front, The Libs are somewhere in between and Gordon is bringing up the rear. Where is the Monster raving loony party? Ah well another wasted vote from me, but at least I will vote with my half connected Brain, when and if we get a chance.
- Bondy, london
If Gordon Brown is so good at helping the poor, could Alex Lising explain why the gap betwen richest and poorest in this country is actually widening, and has been widening throughout New Labour's tenure of office? Also if Mr Brown is so compassionate, what happened to his compassion when he withdrew the 10p tax band;when he raided pension funds to the extent of impoverishing many people who would otherwise have been self-sufficient?
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
Good grief John E,with a memory as short as your's I am suprised you rememered your name.
- Jean, London
So John E Northants,are you suggesting that when Thatcher left office she left having caused no damage to our Country?
If you are try telling that to (our once)manufacturing industry.
- 27% Inflation, London
Some of the weirdo's in the Labour Party are assuming that they will just walk into Downing Street when Gordon is shoved out. Let them know in no uncertain way, that their are in dreamland. Their next move will be the dole queue. The people of this country should all make that fact plain to them.
- Albert Hall, hove england
Alex Lisinge, Putney.
I am sure that you have a point of view, but your comments are nonsense, they suggest you have no concept at all of the damage caused by this Government since 1997.The media report as it finds and is accountable, I believe you are as misguided as your posting indicates.(comment and grammar)
- John E, Northants
A leopard may change it's spots, but its still a leopard. No amount of phony Labour "change" will dispel the years of decline and mismanagement they've subjected this country to.
- R M, London, UK
I am utterly diappointment with the media's obssession with the polls. Polls don't vote, voters do. My opinion have never been sorted before these polls are published and so are millions of other voters. Why are the media trying to belittle Gordon Brown. He has helped the poor in this country more than any Chancellor/PM that i could remember in morden history. Those Labour MPs who want to unseat him is out of ego-centrism. Mr Brown have been PM for only a year. Common please give the boy a chance.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney London
I would have thought that our "Leader" should be adressing the British people at this very worrying time,thats what Leaders are supposed to do.He was quick enough to be on T V to tell us what he was doing about the floods,Terrorists etc.
The news is worse in the USA but George Bush has adressed his people
Terry Holmes
- Terry Holmes, London UK
As the Torys are always telling us that Labour are stealing their policys what is the point of ditching Labour? I believe the present Government is the best Tory Government for years.
- Jean, London
- Mike, London
As opposed to the "landed gentry" of the Labour party you mean?
Nothing more sickening than being preached to by hypocritical rich socialists.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Too true Mate! Pa McHasBean Broone and Pals will soon be history. Maybe they will try and cling to power like Uncle Bob Mugabwe. It will be interesting to see and hear what happens at the fringe meetings that will ocur in and around the Labour Party Conference venue in Brum next week.
The plotting continues, and the captain of 'SS Titanic-New-Labour' will berate the disloyal. It will be all 'Dear Old pals. Jolly Old Pals' at the end as they sing the 'Red Flag' (again an oxymoron in view its Blue Labour). Everyone will go home, and it is guaranteed that the back street bitching will be up and running soon after again.
How life changes, what fun!! I wonder what pressies Broone will get for Xmas - a letter telling him not to pass 'Go' and his P45!
- L Oncle Vanya De Caesaromagus, Chelmsford England
My God what the hell is happening to this once great country,it looks very much as though we will soon be shot of nu Labour,and hand over to Cameron and his kids,I would not let this lot run a car boot stall,Lib/Dems forget it,so there we have it then,the choice we have is no choice.
- Colin, Bristol
The Mac Mafia should be really worried after all who is what is Cameron! A Spiv, Blue-Nu-Lab a snake oil salesman, a PR nightmare, a double glazing salesman, another snout in the trough but not a party leader? Take your choice but he certainly makes Clegg look like a star. So it goes without saying McMafia have blown it for good.hooray!!
I personally think McCameron is going to blow it for the Tories, call me Dave, hug-a-hoody perhaps our member of the landed gentry a Tattler Tory is too far out of touch. Bring on Boris.
- Mike, London
