Polling Report
Polling Report is a new datasynthesis type website where the results of various types of opinion polls are found. I am not aware of any other source of this information for the UK which is as complete.
As someone who has been canvassing now almost for 30 years (actually 28 1/2) I find voting opinion polls a very rough source of information. Because they do not look at the situation in specific seats they do not pick up things that are picked up more locally. They do, however, give some guide as to how people's views are going.
Polling Report's ID analyses make interesting reading particularly this ICM poll.
The government's posturing on ID cards/database is driven moreso by trying to get an image of being "tough on crime" (after a 13 year old was caught driving drunk at 70mph in a stolen car having been banned twice before which my 14 year old finds full of irony).
The government accept that ID cards/database will do nothing to help with terrorism and could only affect 5% of benefit fraud.
Most people consider policies primarily from their own perspective. ID cards/database are generally seen as something that will affect someone else.
However, the interesting part of the poll is that when people find out the cost is £35 that only 10% say they are willing to pay although 68% still view the concept as favourable.
There is a much finer balance on the issue of whether the £5,500,000,000 would be better spent on enforcement with then 51% being supportive of ID cards and 46% on enforcement.
It goes to the nub of the problem with Blairism which is chasing the focus groups rather than aiming for good government.
I think it is far better to argue the case for what is the right way to do things. That is what representative democracy is supposed to mean.
Comments
Nice blog, by the way. Let me know when you are playing with Andy.
If you allow me a visa into Sandwell I could perhaps turn up at the Bear for a number or two.
I am looking at establishing something in Birmingham again. I played last thursday at the Jazz/Funk event at The Village. That, however, is not Jazz/Funk, but more like a Jam session around a couple of chords.
Not really my scene. I like the Jazz Standards.
I was running a session at the Jug a couple of years ago, but it was damaged by double booking.
My ex office keyboard is a good keyboard for this sort of function, but very heavy. It needed my children to help me carry it into the house. I really need a lighter one for gigging.