Labour ahead in the polls, but for how long?
By TSF at April 17, 2012 | 10:21 am | Print
Ed Miliband’s Labour Party are leading in the polls, one poll has them placed with an 11 point lead and another has them placed on a 9 point lead. Whilst this may seem like good news for Labour, less than a month before important local elections and the Mayoral election in London on May 3rd, the question has to be asked whether Ed Miliband ought to be using this poll lead to do more to scrutinise the government over deeply unpopular policies.
Former Labour Health Secretary, Alan Milburn recently called Labour’s response to the Health and Social Care Bill now Act “appalling” and to an extent one could argue that he is right to make that judgment. Many people across the country simply do not understand what is going to happen to the NHS as a result of this change in legislation.
Indeed it may be argued that Labour is simply leading in the polls as a result of George Osborne’s budget a few weeks ago and the lack of organisation in Number 10. Ed Miliband needs to be offering his vision to the country, a vision where, yes, tough decisions have to be taken but decisions that will offer a helping hand to businesses and families up and down the country.
Labour are still recovering from the loss of what was regarded as a safe seat (Bradford West) but unless the electorate starts getting more of an opposition many will simply ask ‘what is the point of Labour?’. It is all very well and good coming up with sound-bites and jumping on the bandwagon but what people need is more opposition and more of a vision. Ed does not have to go into detail about what his policies will be, we are 3 years from a general election, but perhaps if I may suggest, he should put a ‘Policies’ button on the Labour website.
The election results on May 3rd will have a significant impact on his leadership, particularly if Ken fails to win London. Some in the Labour Party think the Conservatives will hang themselves at the next general election as a result of the cuts, that will NOT be the case. Labour have a mountain to climb and economic credibility to restore.
