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Public Services for All > Published by Tim Horton, August 3rd 2011 at 10:12 am

Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary

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New poll data from http://www.yougov.polis.cam.ac.uk/ show that two-thirds of the public believe that the Coalition’s spending cuts should only be temporary, with just a fifth thinking they should be permanent.

Over the last year, polls have sought to gauge public opinion by asking people about ‘the cuts’ – are they fair or unfair, necessary or unnecessary? But, of course, ‘the cuts’ mean different things depending on whether you think they are temporary belt-tightening to reduce theDavid Cameron deficit or  an ideological attempt to roll back the state for good.

Last summer David Cameron came clean that – for the Tories – these cuts are permanent:

“Should we cut things now and go back later and try and restore them? I think we should be trying to avoid that approach.”

This should come as no surprise, given the ideological ambitions he expressed as opposition leader: as he told the CBI, long before the financial crisis hit:

 “what really matters is reducing the share of the national income taken by the state”.

So we thought it was time to ask the public about it. And the results are not good for Cameron. Of all those expressing an opinion, 69% want the cuts to be temporary and think that “the Government should increase spending on public services again when the public finances are in better shape”, while just 22% want the cuts to be permanent and think that “the Government should look to reduce its role for the long term” (a further 9% opt for neither). (Including ‘don’t knows’, the figures are: 64% temporary, 20% permanent, 8% neither, 8% don’t know.) This is a huge rejection of the Tories’ Thatcherite, state-shrinking ideology.

Even more interesting is the fact that a clear majority of Tory voters want the cuts to be only temporary. Of those Tories expressing an opinion, 56% want the cuts to be temporary, while just 39% want the cuts to be permanent (a further 5% opt for neither). (Including ‘don’t knows’, the figures are: 52% temporary, 36% permanent, 5% neither, 7% don’t know.) This is a huge rejection of the Tories’ Thatcherite, state-shrinking ideology from Conservative voters.

 

As I comment in today’s Independent, it’s been perhaps the best-kept secret of the last 30 years that that around half of Tory voters are fundamentally un-Thatcherite about the state – deeply attached to public services and fiercely protective of their social entitlements.

 These voters – who I like to call Daily Mail Collectivists – offer Ed Miliband a real chance to win the next election if Labour can make them a convincing offer on public services and social security, since a Conservative government focused on shrinking the state will always struggle here. Over the next few months, the Fabian Society will be looking in more detail at this interesting group of voters and the electoral vulnerability they create for the Conservatives.

 The polling, analysed in detail in the latest issue of the Fabian Review, was part of a huge survey of the UK conducted by YouGov in May 2011, which included some key questions to explore attitudes to the state, tax and spending. For more details, visit the Fabian Society website and YouGov@Cambridge

  • http://twitter.com/wendyj08/status/98682693704876032 wendy griffiths

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/greenleftie/status/98683285219192832 Michael Bater

    RT @leftfootfwd: Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary http://t.co/mcox1h4

  • http://twitter.com/double_karma/status/98683684445630464 Double.Karma

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/vstuffed/status/98684270696071168 Zeppo Hack

    RT @leftfootfwd: Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/dafidius/status/98687242696015872 DPWF

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/lisybabe/status/98688205041311744 Lisa Egan

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/therightarticle/status/98691520214999040 Michael

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary l Left Foot Forward – http://j.mp/mXoxER

  • http://twitter.com/martinmcgrath/status/98694612486594561 Martin McGrath

    Not much appetite for a smaller state in Britain – http://bit.ly/r097Hu – even with Conservative voters – Daily Mail Collectivists rule, ok?

  • http://twitter.com/natandoron/status/98696417144610816 Natan Doron

    56% of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Analysis by @thefabians @timjhorton maps out the opportunity for EdM http://t.co/9mDHgQq

  • http://twitter.com/shelleyangelie/status/98697641919127552 Shelley Angelie

    56% of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Analysis by @thefabians @timjhorton maps out the opportunity for EdM http://t.co/9mDHgQq

  • http://twitter.com/thefabians/status/98697647451406338 The Fabian Society

    Majority of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Original Fabian research from @timjhorton here http://t.co/PauptHM

  • http://twitter.com/darrellbutcher/status/98698276387303424 Darrell Butcher

    RT @thefabians Majority of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Original Fabian research from @timjhorton here http://t.co/PauptHM

  • http://twitter.com/extraditiongame/status/98702140712824832 Extradition Game

    RT @leftfootfwd: Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton #NewsClub

  • http://twitter.com/melissa_higgs/status/98702140100456448 Melissa Higgs

    And here's something much more sensible via @natandoron – 56% of Tory voters want temporary cuts @thefabians @timjhorton http://t.co/CVdYpPb

  • http://twitter.com/londonworker/status/98704905090514945 Carole Bonner

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/matthewjorda/status/98711005684703233 matthew jordan

    56% of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Analysis by @thefabians @timjhorton maps out the opportunity for EdM http://t.co/9mDHgQq

  • Leon Wolfson

    This is VERY dangerous. While they might agree on THIS issue, it’s calling for the sort of right-reaching policies which will ensure the left stay at home, and disagreement on many other issues means fighting the Tories on *their* ideological grounds.

    There’s a reason I very, very rarely agree with the Fabians…

  • http://twitter.com/unitonehifi/status/98723321675390976 chris star

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary
    http://j.mp/mXoxER

  • Mick Ratcliffe

    Why do the Tory’s still hate the working class so much? Is it because we stood up to THATCHER? I wish that I was anywhere but in the GB right now.

  • http://twitter.com/193eventually/status/98765623634575360 Gareth Morgan

    Majority of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Original Fabian research from @timjhorton here http://t.co/PauptHM

  • http://twitter.com/timjhorton/status/98804004942909440 Tim Horton

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/1917paul/status/98804634386300929 Paul Kershaw

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/verblet/status/98804946924863489 leckie

    This is the gap we must prise at and widen. The public didn't vote for a small state – http://t.co/xR4kvQI

  • http://twitter.com/ns_mehdihasan/status/98805316090736640 Mehdi Hasan

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/lisaansell/status/98805388828344321 Lisa Ansell

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/westernshores/status/98805497926402048 Pen

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/joshuwahwah/status/98805734959091712 Joshuwahwah

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/the_maremma/status/98805775220215808 Kundzia

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/virtualresistan/status/98806140879638528 VirtualResistance

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/mommadona/status/98806236794978304 mommadona

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/sijj786/status/98806306294595584 sajj

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/mediocredave/status/98806419075239936 Martin Young

    The majority of people, including Tory voters, don't want the cuts to be permanent. http://j.mp/p1IlT5

  • http://twitter.com/benedict/status/98806594556542976 Benedict Singleton

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/bobirving99/status/98806789902049280 Bob Irving

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/tinaross2/status/98807741644144641 Christina Ross

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/stavvers/status/98807963761901568 Zoe Stavri

    The majority of people, including Tory voters, don't want the cuts to be permanent. http://j.mp/p1IlT5

  • http://twitter.com/superfurryandy/status/98808086722117633 Andy Bean

    The majority of people, including Tory voters, don't want the cuts to be permanent. http://j.mp/p1IlT5

  • http://twitter.com/stavvers/status/98808929479430145 Zoe Stavri

    Goodness. Most of those who support the cuts don't believe they should be permanent. Staggering naivete. http://is.gd/MIdI2M

  • http://twitter.com/brumprotestor/status/98809163026673664 Brummie Protestor

    The majority of people, including Tory voters, don't want the cuts to be permanent. http://j.mp/p1IlT5

  • http://twitter.com/bellaale/status/98809330836574208 Alex Bellars

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/scattermoon/status/98810515610021888 Elaine O’Neill

    Goodness. Most of those who support the cuts don't believe they should be permanent. Staggering naivete. http://is.gd/MIdI2M

  • http://twitter.com/davidmills73/status/98810753494167554 David Mills

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/katelongmate/status/98811145342816256 Kate Longmate

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/cjwallace91/status/98811201613611009 Chris Wallace

    RT @leftfootfwd: Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary http://t.co/d0dR5qo – Pretty unexpected results.

  • http://twitter.com/johnellison/status/98811392064356353 John Ellison

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/poddingham_paul/status/98812186645901312 Paul Abbott

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/richdavidson/status/98812893126066176 Rich

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/snapey1979/status/98812959643533312 Richard Snape

    RT @stavvers Goodness. Most of those who support the cuts don't believe they should be permanent. Staggering naivete. http://t.co/F2phx1M

  • http://twitter.com/lucypaw/status/98813000361840640 Lucy

    Goodness. Most of those who support the cuts don't believe they should be permanent. Staggering naivete. http://is.gd/MIdI2M

  • http://twitter.com/digitalben/status/98813915894517760 ben ssssss

    Goodness. Most of those who support the cuts don't believe they should be permanent. Staggering naivete. http://is.gd/MIdI2M

  • http://twitter.com/crowmogh/status/98814361904222208 Cookie Monster

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/goodwithout_god/status/98814790469820416 Will

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • Olly

    How is arguing that “cuts should be temporary” fighting on Tory ideological grounds?

  • http://twitter.com/sceptwic/status/98815983959027714 Sam McBratney

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/hallymk1/status/98816376474574848 Richard Hall

    The majority of people, including Tory voters, don't want the cuts to be permanent. http://j.mp/p1IlT5

  • http://twitter.com/ian__mackay/status/98816502576328704 Ian Mackay

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/andy_s_64/status/98817358205947904 Andy S

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/lizzyvic/status/98817901523509248 Liz Whitehead-Davies

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/patrickosgood/status/98817949665730561 Patrick Osgood

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/kidneygrease/status/98820796042059776 Chopper Grip/Death.

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/janet_ewan/status/98820948626653184 janet ewan

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/johnnor/status/98827491254337536 John Nor

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/quigonsmith/status/98828235881717760 Mark

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • http://twitter.com/campervantim/status/98830016787394561 CamperVanTim

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/pedrofutbol/status/98833064733577216 Pedro

    Even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary: http://bit.ly/r5imOx : writes @thefabians ' @timjhorton

  • David

    Utter tosh.

    The voters have revealed again and again in the ballot box that they say one thing to opinion pollsters and another when they vote. In this case, the polling questions appear to be particularly dumb.

  • http://twitter.com/fmallinson/status/98849201328357376 Francis Mallinson

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • Leon Wolfson

    Er, the part which goes ” These voters – who I like to call Daily Mail Collectivists – offer Ed Miliband a real chance to win the next election” perhaps?

  • http://twitter.com/domgarman/status/98930695409377280 Dom Garman

    http://t.co/DFcigZO shows the true nature of tory support

  • http://twitter.com/top_tw_politics/status/98937233385603072 Top Politics Tweets

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/natandoron/status/99025827408261120 Natan Doron

    And even Tory voters want cuts to be temporary http://t.co/9mDHgQq

  • http://twitter.com/nigel_anthony/status/99053603167277056 Nigel Anthony

    Blow to Cameron & Osborne as new poll shows even a majority of Tory voters think the cuts should only be temporary http://t.co/IquqTvo

  • http://twitter.com/weetedscotland/status/99181075074531329 DJE

    Majority of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Original Fabian research from @timjhorton here http://t.co/PauptHM

  • Dave Citizen

    I tend to agree Leon – this kind of politiking is ok at the fringes but not until the core fundamentals are clearly established (I’m thinking clear goals on healthy levels of inequality, policy aims to return land and property from self serving private investment portfolios to the entrepreneurs of tomorrow etc.) Otherwise we just go round the focus group merry-go-round again and Britain stays stuck in its rut.

  • http://twitter.com/zerocredit_uk/status/102742788076089345 Zero-credit

    RT @thefabians: Majority of Tory voters want cuts to be temporary. Original Fabian research from @timjhorton here http://t.co/LHxO1BW