Comeback for Labour—poll

Press, 29 June 1985, Page 3

Comeback for Labour —poll

PA Wellington The Labour Party made a slight popularity comeback in the latest Heylen-“ Eyewitness” news poll released last evening, although the National Party also showed marginally increased popularity ratings. Labour was up four percentage points from last month to 45 per cent, National up one point to 43 per cent, while the New Zealand Party dropped three points to 8 percent and the Social Credit Party remained steady at 4 percent. The over-all performance approval rating for the Government was 46 per cent, up nine percentage points from 37 per cent in May.

Approval for the Government’s handling of the economy showed the biggest rise, from 33 per cent to 47 per cent this month — a figure many have attributed to the decreased Budget deficit. The Budget itself had no clear majority approval, with 46 per cent approving, 33 per cent not approving, and 22 per cent not making up their minds. New Zealand’s preferred Prime Minister was still Mr Lange at 30 per cent, up two points on last month. Although preference for Mr McLay as Prime Minister rose one point to 6 per cent, Sir Robert Muldoon was still ahead at 21 per cent.