Political Attitudes In Tatton

• MORI interviewed 525 adults aged 18+ in the constituency of Tatton
• All interviews were conducted by telephone on 9 April 1997, and the results published in The Sun on 11 April 1997.
• Data weighted to known population profile
• An asterisk (*) denotes a figure below 0.5%, but not zero.

As you may know Neil Hamilton has been selected as the local Conservative party candidate for the General Election.

The Liberal Democrat and Labour candidates have stepped down to allow Martin Bell, the television news journalist, to stand as an independent candidate.

Q1/Q2 How do you intend to vote in the General Election on May 1st? (If undecided or refused at Q1) Which party are you most inclined to support?

Conservative/Neil Hamilton	40%
Independent/Martin Bell	44%
Green Party	*%
Referendum Party	1%
Other	15%
Would not vote	8%
Undecided	15%
Refused	2%

Q3 Looking ahead to the General Election, which issues do you think will be very important to you in helping you decide which party to vote for?

Animal welfare	*%
Constitution/devolution	1%
Defence	1%
Education	40%
Europe	12%
Health care	37%
Housing	2%
Law and order	8%
Managing the economy	12%
Northern Ireland	1%
Pensions	12%
Protecting the natural environment	3%
Public transport	3%
Sleaze	8%
Taxation	22%
Trade unions	1%
Unemployment	11%
Other	10%
Don't know	11%

Q4 On balance, do you think that Neil Hamilton should have been selected to stand for the Conservatives by the local party on Tuesday, or not?

Q5 In your opinion, do you think Neil Hamilton is innocent or guilty of the accusations of financial misconduct that have been made against him?

Q6 Regardless of whether you think Neil Hamilton is innocent or guilty, do you agree or disagree that he is damaging the standing of the Conservative party nationally?

Agree	77%
Disagree	17%
Neither/Don't know	6%

Q7 If Martin Bell is elected as MP for Tatton, do you think he should..

..stand down immediately in order to force a by-election where all the main party candidates stand	31%
..remain MP and stand down only if Neil Hamilton is found innocent of the charges of misconduct	19%
..remain MP for the full-term of the Parliament	39%
Don't know	11%

Q8 On balance, do you agree or disagree that an election campaign with Martin Bell opposing Neil Hamilton will prevent a full debate on all the issues in the constituency?

Agree	57%
Disagree	29%
Don't know	14%

Q9 Who are you most inclined to blame Base: All who agree (305)

Neil Hamilton	40%
Local Conservative party	16%
Martin Bell	3%
Liberal Democrat and Labour parties	13%
Media	7%
John Major	4%
Other	7%
None of them	*%
Don't know	10%

Q10 If a member of the Conservative party were to stand as an independent Conservative, opposing both Neil Hamilton and Martin Bell, as well as other smaller parties, how would you vote in the election on May 1st? (If undecided or refused at Q10) Q11 Which party are you most inclined to support?

Independent Conservative	31%
Conservative (Neil Hamilton)	23%
Independent/Martin Bell	33%
Green Party	*%
Referendum Party	*%
Other	12%
Would not vote	7%
Undecided	13%
Refused	3%

Q12 Which party did you vote for at the last General Election, in April 1992? If you are not sure, or did not vote, please say so.

Conservative	53%
Labour	18%
Liberal Democrats	13%
Green Party	*%
Other	0%
Did not vote	9%
Too young to vote	3%
Can't remember/not sure	2%
Refused	2%

Technical details

MORI interviewed a sample of 525 adults aged 18+ in the constituency of Tatton. Fieldwork was conducted by telephone by MORI On-Line on 9 April 1997. Publication of the data - 11 April 1997