Labour divided over AV: State of the party – November 2010

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Labour supporters are divided over AV – and are more likely to vote against the proposed reforms than support them. That’s one of the key findings of the latest LabourList survey. 42% of readers plan on voting against AV, with only 33% voting for it. Labour supporters’ votes are still up for grabs though, as 23% are undecided.

There’s good news for Ed Miliband from our survey: 41% of those voting believe he’s doing a good job, with 14% rating his performance so far as excellent. 33% believe that he’s done a fair job so far, whilst 12% think his performance has been poor.

Of the shadow cabinet, Ed Balls is proving to be the most popular member so far, with 76% of LabourList readers viewing him in a positive light. Andy Burnham, Alan Johnson, Harriet Harman and Yvette Cooper all scored highly, being viewed positively by over 70% of readers.

The shadow cabinet member viewed most negatively is Caroline Flint, who receives negative ratings from 25% of respondents, closely followed by Liam Byrne and Tessa Jowell. There’s also some work to do for some of the less well known shadow cabinet members – over 50% of LabourList readers have no view on nine members of the shadow cabinet, with 84% of readers having no view on shadow Scottish secretary Ann McKechin.

On the economy, a huge 65% of readers believe that Labour should be proposing an alternative economic plan, with only 27% in support of opposing specific cuts whilst backing deficit reduction. Complete support or opposition of the plans isn’t an option as far as Labour supporters are concerned, with support from only 2% and 5% of readers respectively.

LabourList has also been leading the way on policy formulation with our “Ideas for electability” series. By far the most popular policy advocated was adopting a hard line on tax avoidance and evasion, which was supported by 79% of respondents. A National Care Service, Robin Hood tax, and rebuilding Labour’s reputation on the economy also scored highly.

Choosing Labour candidates through a primary system remains popular, with 46% of Labour supporters now in favour of such a measure. Meanwhile the economy/employment is by far the most pressing issue for LabourList readers, with 78% of respondents listing it as a main area of interest.

620 LabourList readers voted in the survey, which ran from Tuesday 9th – Sunday 14th November. Thanks to all who took part.

Survey Results

Which of these “Ideas for electability” do you think Labour should adopt?

A voice for the voiceless (Labour Diversity Fund) – 29.8%
Flexible, paid parental leave – 37.1%
Simply getting our message across – 44.4%
A hard line on tax avoidance and evasion – 78.7%
Power to the People – online referenda – 18.5%
Affordable water for all – 38.2%
High speed internet for all – 39.8%
A Mutual British Railways – 48.6%
Full citizenship – an alternative to the Big Society – 28.1%
Cap how much profit can be made on essentials – 36.9%
A National Care Service – 62.6%
A complete restructure of secondary education – teaching by ability, not age – 21.1%
The right to own (employee ownership) – 31.4%
Making a Robin Hood Tax a reality – 61.1%
Rebuilding Labour’s reputation on the economy – 64.4%
Linking state pensions to the National Minimum Wage – 42.9%

How do you think Ed Miliband is performing as leader so far?

Excellent – 13.6%
Good – 40.9%
Fair – 33.4%
Poor – 12.1%

Labour’s response to the coalition’s economic plans should be:

To support them – 2.2%
To oppose specific cuts, but back deficit reduction – 27.3%
To propose an alternative economic plan – 65.3%
To oppose them in their entirety – 5.2%

What are your overall impressions of each shadow cabinet member?

Labour’s response to the coalition’s economic plans should be:

To support them – 2.2%
To oppose specific cuts, but back deficit reduction – 27.3%
To propose an alternative economic plan – 65.3%
To oppose them in their entirety – 5.2%

How will you vote in next year’s AV referendum?

Yes (In favour of AV) – 33.3%
No (Against AV / In favour of current system) – 42.2%
Don’t know – 22.9%
Won’t vote – 1.7%

Do you support some form of primary for selecting Labour Party candidates?

Yes – 46.9%
No – 34.8%
Don’t Know – 18.3%

What are your main areas of interest?

Crime / Justice – 31.4%
Culture – 25.6%
Economy / Employment – 78.4%
Education – 63.6%
Electoral Reform – 22.4%
Environment / Climate Change – 35.4%
Equality – 51.3%
Families – 26.1%
Health – 49.7%
Housing – 52.3%
International Development – 23.1%
International Relations – 26.0%
Immigration – 16.5%
Parliamentary / Constitutional Reform – 29.7%
Party Democracy – 34.4%
Taxation – 44.2%
Transport – 29.8%
Unions – 34.4%
Workers’ Rights – 50.1%