Tories set for worst defeat for 99 years
ananova.com
[/edit ps: I think anything from the "News of the World" is utter chit in all respects. pb]
The Tories are set for an even more devastating defeat under Michael Howard than they suffered at the last two elections, a new poll has revealed.
Despite the battles between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Labour will hold key marginal constituencies, winning a majority of 160, the Populus survey shows.
And the Liberal Democrats will take three key seats from the Conservatives, according to the study for the News of the World.
That could leave the Tories with just 163 MPs, two less than they returned at Labour's 1997 landslide and their worst showing since 1906.
The findings will dismay Mr Howard and senior colleagues as they gear up for the General Election, expected on May 5.
They are based on interviews with 1,500 voters in 202 marginal seats, the very areas Tory strategists intend to target in their election campaign.
This week, the party sought to capitalise on the rift between the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
The in-fighting is seen as serious with a clear majority, 59%, saying it is damaging the Government.
However three quarters, 76%, say it will not change the way they vote with just one in six saying they are less likely to back Labour.
And 62% of those who expressed an opinion said Blair and Brown could continue to work together, almost double the 38% who said they cannot. |
