Statistical analysis of constituency results in the last two general elections strongly suggests that ethnic minority (Black or Asian) candidates secure a smaller share of the vote for their parties than do white candidates. While it is not possible to prove from the evidence why this is the case, the obvious presumption must be that it is caused by racist voters being deterred from voting for an ethnic minority candidate. The effect was strongest in the case of Labour candidates, depressing their vote share by more than three-and-a-half percentage points, but was also present for Liberal Democrats; however, there was no statistically significant loss of votes found in the case of Conservative ethnic minority candidates.
Most of the British public are pessimistic about the government's ability to improve public services, according to the baseline survey for the new MORI Delivery Index. More than half, 54%, say they disagree that "in the long term, this government's policies will improve the state of Britain's public services", whereas only 36% agree.
The Queen Mother, who died at the weekend, remained popular with the British public to the end of her life. However she was not - despite the wishful thinking of certain newspapers over the last few days - the only popular member of the Royal Family.
MORI's latest poll on the War on Terrorism, published this week in Time Magazine, shows a very sharp fall in public approval for the government's handling of the crisis since MORI's last poll on the subject on 22-27 November last year. Just over half the public, 52%, say they approve of the way Mr Blair has handled the British response to the terrorist attacks, whereas in November he had the support of more than seven in ten, 71%.
Almost 80 per cent of British people think that the Gibraltarians should have the right to decide about the future of Gibraltar say the findings of a MORI poll taken last weekend (15-17 March).
The Police have been much in the news this week, with the rank-and-file demonstrating in London against the Home Secretary's reform plans, and more senior officers publicly debating whether the low clear-up and conviction rate for crimes is the fault of the Police or of the criminal justice system.
Earlier this week a veteran Labour MEP expressed his disillusionment with the party by defecting to the Conservatives. Yet, despite clear signs of growing dissatisfaction with the government, the public remain steadfastly reluctant to do the same.
Q I am going to read out a list of problems facing Britain today. I would like you to tell me whether you think the Conservative party, the Labour party or the Liberal Democrats has the best policies on each problem.
