Poll shock for Tories

Press, 18 February 1989, Page 10

Poll shock for Tories

NZPA-PA London The Conservative Government’s lead over the Opposition Labour Party has slumped dramatically to a mere 1.5 percentage points, according to a new poll. The Gallup Poll in the “Daily Telegraph” shows the Conservatives with 40.5 per cent support, down from 42.5 per cent last month, and Labour with 39 per cent, up from 34 per cent. The figures will shock the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, and boost

flagging Labour spirits. Other survey questions indicate the slide in Tory fortunes is largely due to the Government’s controversial review of the National Health Service. It shows that two in three Conservatives either disapprove of the proposals or are undecided about them. Rows over food safety, water privatisation, and increasing inflation have contributed to Labour’s resurgence. While other surveys have put the Conservatives nine or 10 points

ahead of their opponents, this one closes the gap from an 8.5 per cent Tory lead in the equivalent poll a month ago. The full poll shows that a majority of the British public do not think the National Health Service is safe in the hands of the Conservatives, and believe that the Government intends to privatise the N.H.S. The poll was conducted between February 9 and 13 among a nationally representative quota sample of 1021 electors.