Politics

Questions have been raised about the role of the polls in the American presidential election. One thing's for sure; they said it would be close, and it certainly was! Polls rained down on the American public at the rate of over four a day during the two months and a bit since Labor Day, the traditional 'home stretch' of the presidential contest. Nobody could say there wasn't enough data, but what did they tell us?

A new opinion poll, commissioned by Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has revealed twice as many Londoners oppose plans for a Public Private Partnership for London Underground than support it. (53 per cent oppose PPP compared to just 23 per cent in support).

Support for fuel blockades has fallen since the last wave of protests in early September, as much of the media has been assuming; but, as has been far less widely noted, the support still remains considerable. The public wants a reduction in the petrol tax, the majority were prepared to support further protests before Mr Brown's pre-budget statement, and half the country would still support it now.

The UK still enjoys a considerable presence around the world, according to a survey of overseas attitudes towards the UK conducted by MORI on behalf of the British Council. In the 17 countries surveyed, well educated young people aged 24-40 said that they knew the UK better than France, Germany and Japan. Of the five countries tested, only the USA enjoyed a higher degree of familiarity.

QV1 How would you vote if there were a General Election tomorrow?
[If undecided or refused at Q1]
QV2 Which party are you most inclined to support?

There are a number of questions about the polls that we get asked time and time again. Over the next few months, as we run up to the general election that will probably be held next year, I am going to try to answer some of them here. Let us begin with some questions about sampling:

Environics
Thursday, 9th November 2000
Toronto, Canada

The Best Value regime has started well and is promoting change within local authorities, according to a new report1 published today.