MORI's latest Political Monitor, published in the Financial Times this week, underlines how the public's perception of the issues facing Britain has changed in recent years. Defence and foreign affairs are singled out as a priority by 38% — ahead of all the other issues — and contrasting starkly with the position three years ago. During the first eight months of 2001, we found an average of just 2-3% mentioning defence and foreign affairs as one of the big themes facing the country. (For analysis of the American's public's view of issues facing the US, visit Gallup).
1,006 interviews conducted by telephone across Scotland with adults based 18+. Interviews conducted on 8-15 June 2004. Data weighted to match the profile of the population.
New research for the Financial Times shows the mountain the Conservative party and its leader Michael Howard has to climb before the next general election. Most people do not believe there would be better public services and lower taxes under a future Conservative government, with just in five people (21%) thinking public services would improve and 15% thinking taxes would be lower. A third (32%) believes Tony Blair would make the best Prime Minister, compared to a fifth (21%) who pick Howard.
MORI's latest MORI Political Monitor survey, conducted between 22-27 July 2004 for the Independent on Sunday, shows that the Liberal Democrats have seen an increase in support over the past month among those who say they are certain to vote in an immediate General Election. The latest voting intention figures, with fieldwork carried out after the Liberal Democrat's success at the Leicester South by-election, put the Liberal Democrats on 24% (up 5 points), Labour on 32% (down 2 points) and the Conservatives on 31% (no change).
Michael Howard is struggling to make his mark with the electorate. But failing, so far, to engage floating voters. The election is likely to be called next April, just nine months away, for a 5th May election day.
The research examined whether the success of the women's Olympic and World Championship curling teams in 2002 had any effect on participation in curling in Scotland.
British people want to see reform in public services, but have mixed views on choice, according to new research from MORI Social Research Institute. The survey, for the Radio 4 'Today' programme, shows that when asked to choose between two policy statements, more than half (53%) of British people preferred the statement 'Paying more taxes to ensure a good quality hospital near your home'. Meanwhile, just over two in five (43%) opted for the statement 'Having no increase in taxes but a choice of receiving treatment in a hospital anywhere in the country'.
