Posted on 02/24/2005 10:43:01 AM PST by familyop
BRITAIN'S opposition Conservative Party has bounced back to within two points of Prime Minister Tony Blair's ruling Labour Party during campaigning for an election expected in May, according to a poll today.
The Mori poll for the Financial Times said the Conservatives had narrowed last October's 10-point gap to record the party's best poll performance since July 2003.
The survey was conducted at the weekend following intense pre-election campaigning, which has focused on domestic issues such as immigration, public services and the economy.
The poll, published on the FT's website (http://www.ft.com) put Labour on 39 per cent, the Conservatives on 37 per cent and the Liberal Democrat party on 18 per cent.
Mr Blair, who won landslide election victories in 1997 and 2001, has seen his once sky-high public trust ratings fall over his support for US President George W. Bush in Iraq, a war most Britons opposed at the start.
But analysts and polls suggest he is still on course to clinch an unprecedented third consecutive victory for Labour.
Mori interviewed 1948 adults between February 17 and 21 at 193 locations across Britain.
In Canada, there was once a similar situation. Lester B. Pearson (the Liberal) defeated John Diefenbaker. Pearson was the more pro-American of the two. Diefenbaker's background included membership in a very anti-American group within the British Conservative Party.
Political parties in some foreign countries are interesting, to say the least, but we should learn about them in the context of history with respect to the USA.
Who cares? The Brits are all girly-men.
"Who cares? The Brits are all girly-men."
Your ignorance is astonishing.
Do you include those Brits who are serving alongside US troops in Iraq?
Shame on you.
Why worry over another countries politics. You can't do anything to change the people, so let them elect a leader. If they don't like America, big deal, tell them to get in the back of the line. Our President will do what is best for his people. Europe should do the same.
"So if the Labour Party over there doesn't win, will we continue to see support in the War on Terror from its most visible leader?"
The USA would get more support from the Tories than from the Labour Party (particularly without Blair - who will likely be gotten rid of by the left within his party at the earliest opportunity)
"So if the Labour Party over there doesn't win, will we continue to see support in the War on Terror from its most visible leader?"
The USA would get more support from the Tories than from the Labour Party (particularly without Blair - who will likely be gotten rid of by the left wing of his party at the earliest opportunity)
Hey, I've got a good idea...why doesn't the NYT sponsor a letter writing campaign so that Americans can write to some of the undecided Brits and try to influence their vote...it sure seemed like a good idea a few months ago when Ohio voters got inudated with letters from the UK (sarcasm off)
I would love for the Toris to win, but as long as Howard is their lead man I have to pull for Blair. The Tories have been shameful on Iraq.
**"Hey, I've got a good idea...why doesn't the NYT sponsor a letter writing campaign so that Americans can write to some of the undecided Brits and try to influence their vote...it sure seemed like a good idea a few months ago when Ohio voters got inudated with letters from the UK (sarcasm off)"
Now that's a good idea!
Get the American liberals to write to a load of floating voter Brits urging them to vote Labour!
That should guarantee a conservative win!
Well it seemed to work in Ohio.
"The Tories have been shameful on Iraq."
Specifically?
I have no reason to believe that claim. The Tories have been behaving in the manner of our Democrat Party. If they win an election on that platform they'll feel no need to reverse course about the war.
Just as Zapatero feels no need to reverse course. Just as Ukraine feels no need to reverse course.
I have no love for the current parties of Labor or Tory, but I do hope Blair wins.
MONSTER RAVING LOONY PARTY ALL THE WAY!
http://www.omrlp.com/
The tories aren't using Iraq as a major policy platform like Schroeder in Germany did.
Blair has been a disaster domestically for Britain.
Half of Britain's economic growth comes from the expansion of Government, the HealthCare system is a mess, crime is skyrocketing.
Ignorance? I'm Irish. Brits are girly-men.
No, but that will be the perception to the outside world and more importantly to the terrorists.
On surface objection to the war wasn't the main reason Spain overthrew Azner's party. The government fumbled initial public response and the electorate voted in Zapatero, where before they were going to side with Aznar's successor.
How did the rest of the world view the election? As appeasement to the terrorists and Zapatero rewarded that belief.
In Australia the main argument wasn't the Iraq war, though his opponent was very against it. If Howard has lost, how do you believe the rest of the world would have seen the election? As a referendum on economic and social policy, or a referemdum on the Iraq war?
I guarentee if Blair loses it will be seen as a referendum on Iraq, the WOT and it will not matter if another in country issue dominated the election.
Crime is not too bad I think. The health care has been in a mess for while. You are right about the Government expansion. My main problem is their wealth redistribution and their inept social policies.
They only want to help the loafers, layabouts and immigrants. They also go for the Grey vote while ignoring the people that actually work. I hate their ideas for ID cards and their under invesment in the military.
The Liberal Democrat party getting 18% is most unsettling part of this poll.
If these numbers are right, it mean Labour and the Libs will have a coaliton government. The British are going to have some pretty far left policies being introduced.
"Ignorance? I'm Irish. Brits are girly-men."
I am of Irish descent myself.
What difference does it make?
Your statement was ignorant.
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