YouGov polling shows the very difficult challenge ahead for the Tories on the NHS
Can the NHS be sidelined?
The above chart is based on YouGov data for today’s Times and shows the different perceptions, broken down by party support, of what might happen to the NHS if the Tories win GE15.
What I find interesting is the fairly similar range of responses in the chart between LAB and UKIP voters. The pattern is the same.
In a sense this tells us nothing new. The real matter is whether Cameron/Osborne can sideline this as an issue and make their message on the economy the key one. With the polls now so tight their success in setting the agenda could be the decider.
Outside election period that is a lot easier but once the campaign has started then it will be different.
LAB, though, is in danger of becoming a one trick pony with the NHS and I wonder whether it could find itself exposed as the campaign progresses.