Politics

Ratings of local government fluctuate over time, with perceptions of the institution consistently less well regarded than individual service areas. Latest findings show signs of a potential recovery after notable declines in ratings since the late 1990s. When asked to identify reasons for satisfaction/dissatisfaction with their local authority, residents typically find it difficult to pinpoint specific reasons, highlighting the complex set of issues which underpin a council's reputation. If an authority is perceived to provide generally good quality services and good value for money, then it is highly likely to also achieve strong satisfaction ratings. Indeed, perceptions on these attributes are consistently shown to be the strongest drivers of overall satisfaction across different studies and across key sub-groups within the population.

According to MORI's October 2004 Political Monitor, 39% of those who say they are certain to vote in an immediate General Election would vote Labour. This is the highest share of vote recorded for the Labour Party since December 2003. In contrast, 29% of those certain to vote say they would vote Conservative (their lowest score since April 2003), and 22% Liberal Democrat.

According to MORI's October 2004 Political Monitor, 39% of those who say they are certain to vote in an immediate General Election would vote Labour. This is the highest share of vote recorded for the Labour Party since December 2003. In contrast, 29% of those certain to vote say they would vote Conservative (their lowest score since April 2003), and 22% Liberal Democrat.

The American Presidential Election is over… I think. Senator Kerry has conceded to President Bush, but then so did Senator Gore, in 2000. As I write, on 'screaming deadline', there are still three states which haven't been decided, Ohio, Iowa, and New Mexico. By 3:30 am on ITN's election night programme I had called Iowa and New Mexico for the President, but Ohio was still too close to call in our view (although Fox, and then NBC, had done so) by the time we went off air at 6:00 am.

Twice as many British adults would vote for Democratic candidate John Kerry than Republican candidate George W. Bush, if they had a vote in the American presidential election, new research from MORI has revealed. More than two in five (45%) would vote for Kerry, whilst one in five (21%) say Bush and two per cent the third candidate, Ralph Nader.

A recent MORI survey for the Greater London Authority shows that Londoners are seeing higher numbers of uniformed police officers on the streets, both in their local neighbourhood (41%) and London as a whole (45%). Although nearly three quarters (71%) say that the additional police visibility makes them feel safer personally, its effect on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour is perceived to be less. Indeed two thirds (69%) believe that crime is getting worse in the Capital.

On 4 November 2004 there will be a referendum in the North-East of England on whether or not to have an elected regional assembly for the region. The latest MORI research on behalf of the Northern Echo looks at the knowledge of the referendum process, likelihood of voting, and attitudes towards an elected regional assembly. Among the key findings are:

MORE than two thirds of British people (69%) think it unfair to tax a person's estate after their death, according to new research from MORI. The survey, for Friends Provident, looks at views on inheritance tax, it's fairness as a means of generating tax revenues, and whether the current threshold (£263,000) is considered correct. Most people (57%) think the threshold should be raised and two thirds (67%) believe a 'banding' system should be introduced, so that smaller amounts attract a lower rate and larger sums a higher rate.

Question: The Lib Dems have been polling around 25 per cent consistently for the past year and closely challenging for or winning in by-elections. How well do you think they can do in the general election?