Ed Miliband not ready yet to be prime minister, say majority in new poll

 
PA
18 April 2013
WEST END FINAL

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Ed Miliband is dealt a blow today as an exclusive poll finds that a clear majority of Britons do not think he is ready to become prime minister.

Ipsos MORI found that just under one in four people thinks the Labour leader is ready to hold the keys of No 10, while two thirds believe that he is not yet up to the job.

The 66-24 divide is better for Mr Miliband than two years ago, when the same question produced a 69-17 split. However, the research suggests that he is polling behind his own party — when asked if Labour was ready to rule, the divide was 58-29 among voters.

Today’s monthly Political Monitor survey shows Labour has a nine-point lead over the Conservatives, who are on 29 per cent, with Labour on 38 per cent — although this is their lowest rating for a year.

Nick Clegg’s Lib-Dems are on 10 per cent, outpaced by Nigel Farage’s Ukip at 15 per cent.

Mr Miliband has the highest net satisfaction rating of the three main party leaders, on minus 16 compared with Mr Cameron’s minus 28 and Mr Clegg’s dire minus 44. Only Mr Farage has a positive net rating, at 8.

Tom Mludzinski, of Ipsos MORI, said: “While Nigel Farage and Ukip may take good news out this poll, there is little joy for anyone else. Labour are at a 12-month low as voters have doubts that Ed Miliband and his party are ready to move into No 10. While he does have two years to change their minds, even his own supporters are not yet fully convinced.”

Optimism about the economy has risen slightly, albeit from a very low point. The percentage who think it will improve in the next 12 months rose four points to 22, while those who believe things will get worse fell from 48 to 41.

A Labour source said David Cameron was further behind Gordon Brown at the same stage in the last Parliament.

Pointing to Mr Miliband’s higher satisfaction rating, he said: “It’s standard for leaders of the opposition to be seen as readier as an election approaches.

“It is only Ed Miliband and Labour which is setting out the change Britain needs. As people see the Government’s plan has failed and we are answering the big questions on the economy, the NHS, the energy firms and the rail companies, we are confident people will come towards us.”

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