Guardian Utd (Tuesday): Tories gain ground on Labour

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Tuesday February 22

Tories gain ground on Labour
Poll puts parties just 3 points apart, as Blair fails to regain confidence
By Alan Travis, home affairs editor

Labour's opinion poll lead has been cut to only three points in the last month as the Tory pre-election campaign gains momentum, according to the results of this month's Guardian/ICM opinion poll published today.

With the expected date of the general election only 72 days away the poll results will alarm Labour election strategists who fear Conservatives could use the intensive "phoney war" campaigning to close the gap between the parties.

Tony Blair effectively launched Labour's campaign a fortnight ago with his helicopter tour, the six pledges and the party's spring conference. He even attempted to bypass the Westminster media with a special meet-the-voters day courtesy of Channel Five.

But despite all this effort the ICM survey, which puts Labour on 37%, shows the government's lead over the Conservatives is down four points in the last month and has fallen from nine to only three points since December.

Mr. Blair has no one to blame but himself.

Having the Frat Boy in Europe right now can't be good for him.

[applegrove]

1. The real centre of evil doesn't pay .. but the followers do. I'd be

afraid to head how the WH would spin a Blair loss.

[aneerkoinos]

2. Good

This raises hopes for the best outcome, hung parliament with libdems as kingmakers and getting through their demand of proportional representation.

[MisterP]

3. ooh boy, Murdoch is gonna withdraw his tabloids' support;

TWO Prime Ministers Howard, blech!
so much for New Labour, though!

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. This shows that most Labour supporters like Blair, and no-one else does

It's interesting that even Conservatives think that Brown, who is more left wing than Blair, is an asset for Labour, while Blair isn't. And Brown has far more support inside the party than any other possible successor to Blair. I don't think Blair can prevent him succeeding him now.