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Both Tories and Labour face trust gap

Both Tories and Labour face trust gap

A substantial majority of voters do not believe that either Labour or the Conservatives would form an “honest and trustworthy government”.

The latest YouGov survey for the Daily Telegraph finds that 66 per cent of voters believe that Labour is “not honest” and 58 per cent of voters believe the same for Conservatives.

Opinions on Labour appear more polarised with 24 per cent believing they are honest, with only nine per cent as ‘don’t knows’. The Conservatives, by contrast are trusted by 22 per cent but there is a significant 20 per cent who ‘don’t know’.

The Liberal Democrats were not covered by this survey question.

Overall, Labour’s lead over the Tories has narrowed by one point, 35 per cent as opposed to 34 per cent. It appears that Michael Howard’s tough talking on immigration has resonated with 42 per cent being “strongly in favour” of his proposals to set an annual quota on immigration and asylum.

However, there is still cynicism about his policies, with 58 per cent believing he is taking the line because “he desperately wants to win votes for his party”.

In terms of leadership preference, Tony Blair is still believed to be the best Prime Minister with 32 per cent support. Mr Howard is on 21 per cent – only one point up from his predecessor William Hague – and Charles Kennedy is on 14 per cent.

YouGov interviewed 1, 965 voters on-line between January 25 and 27.