ComRes online poll sees Lab lead down one to two – But are the Tories losing their toxicity?
The ComRes online poll for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror is out.
Is the Tories’ toxicity no longer an issue?
ComRes note
“the poll’s Favourability Index finds that the Conservative Party is viewed more favourably than Labour for the first time, suggesting that the Tory brand is now seen as no more “toxic” than the Labour one.”
On a net basis, the Blues and Reds are tied, as ever this is just one poll, and we’ll need to see further polling, but if this remains the case, then the nasty toxic Tories meme may have been negated, and the tactical anti-Tory vote at the General Election might not be so much of an issue next time?
On the Leaders’ favourability ratings
On Expectations for the next government
| Agree | Disagree | Don’t know | |
| Labour is likely to be in government after the General Election next year | 32% | 33% | 36% |
| The Conservatives are likely to be in government after the General Election next year | 28% | 36% | 35% |
| The Liberal Democrats are likely to be in government after the General Election next year | 7% | 68% | Â 25% |
On events in the Middle East, ComRes note
More than half of the British public (55 per cent) think that if the “Islamic State†continues its advance into Iraq unchecked then it will pose a direct threat to security on British streets.
Most Britons (51 per cent) disagree that it is possible for a prime minister to make good decisions about international crises via a BlackBerry, as David Cameron claimed this week.
The poll found more support (40 per cent) than opposition (29 per cent) for British intervention around the world with military force if necessary in cases of humanitarian emergency.
Despite this, there is little support for Britain to do more in the region. Just 26 per cent of Britons think the emergence of the “Islamic State†shows that Britain withdrew from Iraq prematurely; 39 per cent disagree. Similarly, 26 per cent think the situation in Iraq means that Britain should consider delaying the current plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year, compared to 40% who disagree.
ComRes interviewed 2,058 GB adults online between 20 and 22 August 2014