Report finds strong lead for Labour among women

New research has found that Labour have a 9 point lead over the Tories among women, with women more likely to have a downbeat view of the economy.

Mumsnet’s report of women voters comes after carrying out polling and focus groups, and sees Labour’s support with women fall slightly, but still lead the Tories by 39% 30%. While this is down from the 14 point lead last year, it is a significant improvement on the five-point lead the Tories had over Labour among women voters at the 2010 election. Among men, Labour currently only hold a one point lead 33% to 32%.

This will do little to dispel the notion that David Cameron’s party suffers from a “women problem”, despite his much-briefed “reshuffle for women” in July. Probably because he promoted almost three times as many men as women.

There appears to have been a total collapse in support for the Liberal Democrats. At the last election, 26% of women voted for Lib Dem, but that number has now dropped to a mere 11%.

The Government as a whole has a satisfaction rating of -34% with women – significantly worse than the -18% polled for men. This is probably largely attributable to the disproportionate effect public spending cuts have had on women, which could also help to explain why women do not share men’s optimism on the economy: only 40% think the economy will improve in the next year, compared to 57% of men.

Support for UKIP is also lower with women: 9% say they will vote UKIP next year, compared to 16% of men. Nigel Farage’s personal ratings are also significantly worse: 28% say they are satisfied with his job as leader, compared to 44% of men.

Unlike the marginals polling we reported on this morning, however, the report finds that if Boris Johnson were Tory leader, their chances would be boosted by a 6% increase in women’s support.

Unconvincing personal polling does, on the other hand, remain a constant. Half of women, 48%, think Ed Miliband should be replaced as Labour leader before the election, compared to just 29% who think the same about David Cameron. While Miliband’s -22% satisfaction rating is better than Nick Clegg’s -39%, and is the only leader whose rating is better among women than men, he still trails Cameron on -21% and Nigel Farage on -16%.

You can read the full report here.