Trust In The Government And Blair

Tony Blair is facing trouble on three fronts, according to new research from the MORI Social Research Institute for the News of the World. On delivery we find the government receiving a negative rating from the public on five key priority areas -- education, NHS, crime, asylum and transport. On trust, Mr Blair scores lower than during the fuel crisis three years ago, with 58% finding him untrustworthy. Gordon Brown's trust ratings, on the other hand, have improved over the same period, and he is the clear front-runner as Blair's successor in the eyes of the public and Labour supporters. On party support the survey shows Labour and the Conservatives now level-pegging both on 35% with the Lib Dems on 19%. The only good news for Mr Blair comes in the 'most capable PM' question, which shows him some way ahead of Iain Duncan Smith and Charles Kennedy.

Topline Results

• Results are based on 1,007 interviews conducted by telephone with a sample of residents across Great Britain
• Interviews were conducted between 26-27 June 2003.
• Data are weighted by gender, age, class, region, work status and tenure to the known profile of Great Britain.
• Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to multiple responses, computer rounding or the exclusion of 'don't know/not stated' response categories.
• Where there are small bases (less than 30 respondents) responses are given in absolute figures rather than percentage answers.
• Trend data from previous MORI surveys is included where applicable.

Voting Intention

QV1 How would you vote if there were a General Election tomorrow, would you vote...? QV2 Which party are you most inclined to support?

Base: All

Q1 How likely would you be to vote in a General Election tomorrow, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 means you would be absolutely certain to vote, and 1 means that you would be absolutely certain not to vote?

Base: All

Q2 We are now going to ask about a number of areas which the Government has identified as priorities. Half way through their second term, how would you rate the Government's record on each of the following ...

Q3 Who do you think would make the most capable Prime Minister -- Tony Blair, Iain Duncan Smith or Charles Kennedy?

Note: For Conservatives asked of John Major '97, William Hague '00-'01, and for Liberal Democrats asked of Paddy Ashdown in '97 * Just after fuel crisis. ** Just after General Election

Q4 And in general would you describe each of the following politicians as trustworthy or not?

Note: For Conservatives asked of William Hague '00

Q5a For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree or disagree.

Base: All

Q5b For each of the following statements, please tell me whether you agree or disagree.

Base: All Labour supporters (279)

Q6 If Tony Blair were to resign, which of the following would you most like to see take over his job?

Q7 Now I would like you to imagine how you might feel if the Blair family were to became your next door neighbours? Which one of the following comes closest to how you might feel?

Q8 And finally, I would like you to imagine how you might feel if Mr Blair were selling you a used car. Which one of the following comes closest to how you might feel?