Tories heading for massive majority

Cameron: heading for majority

Wednesday, 06, Aug 2008 05:14

The Conservatives are set to win the next general election with a majority of 132 MPs, a new poll suggests.

The Independent's 'poll of polls' put the Tories on 44 per cent and Labour support at its lowest ebb on 27 per cent.

If that level of support was reflected in a general election victory, the Tories would have 391 MPs in the Commons, and Labour just 195 – mostly from heartland constituencies.

It would be a landslide on the level of Tony Blair in 1997 and set the ground for a decade of Tory rule.

Among the Cabinet minister who would lose their seats are Alistair Darling, chancellor, Ruth Kelly, transport secretary, John Hutton, business secretary and Jacqui Smith, home secretary.

The perception of government competence in economic matters continues to decline, as does the prime minister's personal image. Only 20 per cent of voters think Mr Brown is doing a good job.

However, it is still unclear whether support for the Tories is based on dislike of the government or whether it exists in its own right. David Cameron enjoys healthy - but hardly exceptional - approval ratings of around 50 per cent.

The poll does not make happy reading for the Liberal Democrats, who seem to be suffering the effects of Tory success as well. It shows them losing dozens of seats to the Conservatives, falling from 63 to 33.