The Good Week – Bad Week Index: July 28-August 3rd

With the next scheduled nation voting intention opinion poll not due until the end of August and almost no council by-elections the best information we have on the public mood is from the the YouGov data from which we can compute the “Good Week – Bad Week Index”.

This is the data from the pollster’s daily brand index survey which involves surveying 600 people each day about their perceptions of major brand names. Reactions to some leading politicians are also included and this is what YouGov provided PB.C with last week and is now making available to the media.

The figures are 5-day rolling averages and are based on the views on 3,000 people which is a much bigger sample than a conventional opinion poll. The question in each case is “Do you think that TB/GB/DC/MC is doing a good or bad job in his role as PM/Chancellor/Conservative Leader/Lib Dem leader”. For the Good Week – Bad week comparison the August 3rd figures are compared with July 28th.

TONY BLAIR – Good Week
(Jul 17: Good 26: Bad 59: DK 13)
(Jul 21: Good 26: Bad 60: DK 14)
(Jul 28: Good 23: Bad 62: DK 13)

Jul 31: Good 23: Bad 62: DK 13
Aug 1: Good 23: Bad 61: DK 14
Aug 2: Good 24: Bad 61: DK 13
Aug 3: Good 25: Bad 61: DK 13

So having stated a week beforehand with a minus 39 score the Prime Minister has seen a three point improvement – probably the result of his return from the US and having the platform to present his case on the Middle East situation

MING CAMPBELL – Bad Week
(Jul 17: Good 19: Bad 34: DK 47)
(Jul 21: Good 17: Bad 36: DK 47)
(Jul 28: Good 17: Bad 38: DK 45)

Jul 31: Good 17: Bad 38: DK 45
Aug 1: Good 17: Bad 39: DK 44
Aug 2: Good 16: Bad 39: DK 45
Aug 3: Good 15: Bad 39: DK 46

Liberal Democrats will be disappointed that their leader who had a minus 21 point rating on July 28th should have seen that get worse by three whole points. It’s almost as though he has lost out as Tony Blair has improved.

GORDON BROWN – Quite good week
(Jul 17: Good 40: Bad 41: DK 19)
(Jul 21: Good 38: Bad 41: DK 20)
(Jul 28: Good 38: Bad 41: DK 21)

Jul 31: Good 39: Bad 41: DK 20
Aug 1: Good 39: Bad 41: DK 20
Aug 2: Good 40: Bad 41: DK 20
Aug 3: Good 39: Bad 41: DK 20

Gordon, who is still on paternity leave and has hardly been seen, has enjoyed a one point improvement.

DAVID CAMERON – Bad Week
(Jul 17: Good 40: Job 27: DK 33)
(Jul 21: Good 39: Bad 27: DK 34)
(Jul 28: Good 41: Bad 26: DK 33)

Jul 31: Good 42: Bad 27: DK 31
Aug 1: Good 41: Bad 27: DK 31
Aug 2: Good 41: Bad 26: DK 32
Aug 3: Good 40: Bad 26: DK 33

David Cameron remained the only one of the four leaders to enjoy a positive rating although his low profile might be the reason behind the two point drop. The postponement of the Tory London Mayoral candidate selection took place after the polling period.

Mike Smithson