50% of Tory voters don't want a Tory government

The latest ICM poll for the Guardian (from the pollster that was rated most accurate in the May 2010 election) has the Tories two points behind Labour. This, incidentally, is the first time since September 2007 (just before the-election-that-never-was) that Labour has had a lead with this polling firm.

Most amusingly, though, is the statistic picked out in by Julian Glover in his Guardian report - that only 50% of Tory voters actually want a majority Tory government. Go figure...

Tory voters want to tax the rich, a higher minimum wage and better workers rights

Question:

Which group of voters massively favour the following?

• A higher levy on the banks

• Making people who can afford it pay more in taxation

• Giving more employment rights to temporary workers employed through agencies

• Introducing a higher minimum wage


Answer:

Conservative voters (and everyone else)

Defence: cuts and leaks

Another day, another leak from our lords and masters.

These leaks seem to fall into two categories:

a) those that are intentionally leaked by Number 10 to the press, normally about quango x being shut or public sector outfit z being downsized, and ordinarily without said organisation being given advance warning;
b) those that are leaked by disgruntled civil servants, who are fed up for members of the ruling coalition telling (normally Tories) telling the media how rubbish the civil service is.

This leak (complete now with spectacularly over-the-top response) is likely to be an example to file under category b... although some cynical souls are claiming it is Liam Fox trying to do the dirty on Osborne and Dave.

Whichever it is, it's looking increasingly like the government are going to be fighting on all fronts over the coming years (unlike the army, by the looks of it).

Labour go ahead in the polls (and Tories slip at local level)

In the first poll as Labour leader, Ed Miliband has pulled the party ahead of the Tories for the first time since the election that never was in 2007.

Meanwhile, local by-election results over the last few months are pointing to an 11% drop in the share of the vote for the Tory party, which, if continued, would see the party lose numerous seats to Labour in next year's local elections (and may see the latter gain full control of the Welsh Assembly).

Sink or swim continued: School Food Trust

An post on this blog last week lamented the Government's total lack of interest in public health care. Well, further evidence was provided in the recent leaked list of quangos to be culled. Slotted in amongst a host of health-related organisations, was the School Food Trust.

The short-lived body was given the 'unique' remit to "promote the education and health of children and young people by improving the quality of food supplied and consumed in schools", which includes taking action to "reduce diet-related inequalities in childhood". Along with likely cuts to other initatives to tackle poor diet, this decision is another sobering example of what is in store for the future of whole sections of British society.

Five departments reach deal with Osborne

It looks like the Treasury, the Cabinet Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, DEFRA and the Department of Communities and Local Government have reached a deal with slasher on their budget reductions.

The size of their agreed reductions are not yet known, but with the serious leaks that have emerged over the last few months, no doubt we will know soon enough...

Tory council to privatise everything

More evidence, as if it were needed, that Tories across the country are using the current economic climate to push an ultra free-market agenda further than ever before:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/sep/22/suffolk-county-council-outsource-services