Lib Dem support in free fall

Just two-in-five Liberal Democrat voters approve of the Coalition’s performance after two months in office. The findings by YouGov underline a dramatic fall-off in support for the Lib Dems with twice as many deserters switching to Labour as to the Conservatives.

In a commentary published today on the YouGov website, the organisation’s President, Peter Kellner writes:

“Among those who voted Lib Dem on May 6, opinions are divided: just 40% approve of the coalition’s performance, while 36% disapprove. No wonder Lib Dem support has slumped since the coalition was formed.

“Indeed, of those who voted Lib Dem on May 6, just 46% would vote for the party if an election were held now, while 18% would vote Labour, 9% Conservative and 5% for other parties; 22% are ‘don’t knows’ or ‘won’t votes’. To be sure, the Lib Dems have picked up some support from voters who like their involvement the coalition, but there are too few of these to offset the deserters. Overall, Lib Dem support is down by one-third since the election.”

On the overall performance of the Coalition, Mr Kellner writes:

“The honeymoon is over. Actually, it was never that ardent in the first place…

“Over the past four weeks, the coalition’s approval rating has slipped slowly but remorselessly. Our latest figures report a net rating of plus four (approve 41%, disapprove 37%). In just over two months, the coalition’s rating has declined to levels that were not reached for almost three years under Tony Blair.”

http://twitter.com/andiulachmor/status/18988352987 Wes Robinson

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/houseoftwits/status/18988428625 House Of Twits

RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/michael_grieve/status/18988522422 Michael Grieve

RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/nickthinker/status/18988585741 Nick Panayotopoulos

RT @HouseofTwits: RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/liza_harding/status/18988598813 Liza Harding

RT @Michael_Grieve: RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/18988651280 Shamik Das

There may be trouble ahead… RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/andy_s_64/status/18988653211 Andy Sutherland

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/bourbons3/status/18988664476 Ben Farress

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/noahsarc1/status/18988964563 noah

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/judithhaire/status/18989097323 Judith Haire

RT @Michael_Grieve: RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/naxosminator/status/18989191136 Richard

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM < http://youtu.be/yj3DBcpfMNQ >
http://www.bolotics.blogspot.com bolotics

With support for the Lib-Dems and AV falling a tactical NO vote in the AV referendum will more than likely break the back of the coalition. Labour get your leader right and a General Election isn’t that far off the horizon…
http://twitter.com/noahsarc1/status/18989332267 noah

RT @NaxosMinator: RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM < http: …
http://twitter.com/bolotics/status/18989435159 John Kennedy

RT @HouseofTwits: RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/geronimo100/status/18989563221 william haymes

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/delboydare/status/18989574419 Derek Mantle

Hardly surprising. RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/twickenhamclp/status/18990052036 Twickenham Labour

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/joedgoldberg/status/18990841128 joedgoldberg

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://ucl.ac.uk/cancer StephenH

ha… how long before the oleaginous duo hatch an electoral pact to preserve each others seats?
http://twitter.com/drew4glasgow/status/18991986210 Drew Smith

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://s.coop/1o2 >> As experience in #GlasgowN – although many voters saw through their fibs!
http://bestblogs.labourhome.org/2010/07/20/lib-dem-support-in-free-fall/ Lib Dem support in free fall « The best Labour blogs

[...] More… [...]
http://twitter.com/jaynethedig/status/18992571739 Jayne Childs

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/rhiannon__rose/status/18993252390 Rhiannon Lowton

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/cgWFIh
Robert

lets see I’ll have a bet that the next election will be in five years time, as for labour getting it’s leader ready you think a few thousand Liberals will make a difference, labour lost about 400,000 members, and about five million voters, I think getting a leader is not the problem it’s getting people interested enough to care.
http://twitter.com/outsideleft/status/18993871409 OutsideLeft

RT @Michael_Grieve: RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/marktw2/status/18994579353 Mark Walker

RT @twickenhamclp: RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
mike

Lib Dems

one night stand

useful fools
Jerry

Condem Plan B

ban elections in which Labour stand candidates

democracy needs reorganisation and savings
Robert

The last bit is interesting about how Blair’s rating fell , then we had brown, so if the liberals fall is as bad as they say, and then labour does not pick up because a Miliband wins and we head back down the New labour route, it should mean the Tories should have a field day
http://twitter.com/alexzamora/status/18996180165 Alex Zamora

RT @leftfootfwd Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of LD voters approve of the Coalition: http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/dogandbone1/status/18996559544 mrsC

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support slumps as just 40% of voters approve of the Coalition http://bit.ly/bmaFuM
http://twitter.com/timbird84/status/19002467811 Tim Holmes

New Yougov poll shows declining Lib Dem support http://is.gd/dzwrZ Overall support down 1/3; 2 in 5 LD voters approve of coalition's record.
Mr. Sensible

Not surprised at this; the Lib Dems have ripped up most of their manifesto to form the coalition.
http://twitter.com/jruddy99/status/19008340920 John Ruddy

They cant complain its lack of exposure! RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/cgWFIh
http://twitter.com/kmwhite01/status/19008713849 Keith White

RT @jruddy99: They cant complain its lack of exposure! RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/cgWFIh
http://twitter.com/slacky42/status/19013605164 Kris

I think they need a better spin doctor! RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/cgWFIh
Joss Garman

Though at the same time this blog points to a membership surge for the Lib Dems: http://bit.ly/c7ji2D
http://twitter.com/lucyfunf/status/19023396553 Lucy Chapman

RT @leftfootfwd: Lib Dem support in free fall http://bit.ly/cgWFIh
Rob

Been Lib Dem all my life but the lack of holding out for a PR referendum means that I would only vote for the green party in the future.

I would consider Labour if they genuinely became a ‘progressive’ party.

However their authoritarian track record of doubling the prison population in 13 years, flagrant disregard for civil liberties and passing an unprecedented amount of legislation (6000+ new criminal offences, 50+ criminal justice acts, dna database etc) on top of presiding over an increase in inequality.. means that I find the idea of a ‘progressive’ labour party to be an oxymoron.

I honestly despair at the state of politics in this country and am off to europe as soon as I can find an equivalent job.
http://twitter.com/nathanempsall/status/19054240710 Nathan Empsall

Lib Dem support in free fall | Left Foot Forward http://bit.ly/bmRY9w #bblue
http://twitter.com/smartstuff99/status/19058931708 Andy Smart

http://j.mp/bpHyRy Let's hope this keeps up!
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/07/lib-dem-vote-swings-to-labour-in-tory-marginals/ Lib Dem vote collapses in Tory marginals | Left Foot Forward

[...] analysis that the coalition’s “honeymoon is over” and that Lib Dem support is in free fall, a new poll conducted by Populus for Lord Ashcroft shows swings of up 13 per cent from Lib Dem [...]
http://twickenhamlabour.org.uk/?p=121 Twickenham Labour Party » Lib Dem vote swings to Labour

[...] of YouGov analysis that the coalition’s “honeymoon is over” and that Lib Dem support is in free fall, a new poll conducted by Populus for Lord Ashcroft shows swings of up 13 per cent from Lib Dem [...]
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/07/look-left-the-week-in-fast-forward-23-07-10/ Look Left – The Week in Fast Forward | Left Foot Forward

[...] for the polls? Well, as Left Foot Forward reported on Tuesday and Wednesday, Lib Dem support is in free fall, with the Lib Dem vote swinging to Labour in Tory [...]
http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2010/07/privatize-by-stealth Privatize by Stealth. : Lawyers, Guns & Money

[...] the Liberal Democrats are doing in this coalition (besides selling out)? Lib Dem supporters are themselves befuddled, with deserters breaking 2:1 to Labour. Lib Dem support is down to 16%, and only 41% of the [...]