Meanwhile the negatives build up against the purples

it has been said often in recent months that what the country really wants is a Labour government led by David Cameron. This perception is reinforced by the latest positive/negative in this week’s Ashcroft Nationaal Pooll.

The question was quite simple “On scale of -100 to +100 how positive/negative do you feel about..? “

The chart is based on the net figures for all those listed with a breakdown for “swing” voter – those who haven’t decided yet and those who say that they might change their minds.

While Miliband continues to be a drag on his party the Tories are drag on Cameron and you can bet that both campaigns will try to build on their strengths.

I do think there’s a tendency for the Tories to over-estimate the Miliband fact and to underestimate the ongoing appeal of Labour. Quite how this balance will work on May 7th will be decisive.

The swing voters tab in the chart above has some quite good news for the LDs.

Mike Smithson

For 11 years viewing politics from OUTSIDE the Westminster bubble

For latest polling and political betting news follow @MSmithsonPB