Poll figures released by YouGov yesterday show that 45% of people believe George Osborne should be replaced as chancellor of the Exchequer
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Poll figures released by YouGov yesterday show that 45% of people believe George Osborne should be replaced as chancellor of the Exchequer, with only 24% wanting him to stay.
A dip in popularity was expected following the Budget announcement earlier this year, but Osborne has not been able to recover from credibility damaging U-turns, accusations of stifling growth and criticism from the IMF and his own backbenchers.
When YouGov asked those surveyed who should replace Osborne as chancellor, Vince Cable came in as favourite with 22% of the vote, tailed by William Hague (16%) and Ken Clarke (9%).
The president of YouGov, Peter Kellner, said:
If George Osborne hoped that he would spend only a few awkward, post-Budget weeks navigating his sea of troubles before reaching calmer waters, YouGov’s latest poll for the Sunday Times will come as a shock.
Just 15% think he is doing a good job as Chancellor – the same dire figure we found in late June, and less than half the 34% we recorded at the time of last year’s Budget.
Only 20% think David Cameron should keep Osborne at the Treasury – even less than the 24% we reported in late June. And now, as then, fewer than half of Conservative voters want him to stay on as Chancellor.
However, the chances of Osborne being dropped as chancellor are slim. Regardless of how questionable his track record has been, the decision to axe him from the role could be even more damaging for Party credibility than his prior actions.
As George Irvin commented on Left Foot Forward last week:
George Osborne is for the chop but his economic policy will remain in place. That is the lesson to be inferred from the sudden spate of newspaper articles announcing his imminent departure.
If it were simply a matter of the odd piece in the Observer or the Guardian, one could dismiss it as wishful thinking, but when theMail on Sunday goes for the jugular, something serious is happening.
Here’s a possible Tory scenario: after further bad news from the IMF and others about the economy and a possible downgrading of Britain’s AAA bond status before September, Osborne swaps places with William Hague who becomes the new chancellor.
The fact that the Tories have been sliding downhill ever since the April budget fiasco is not yet a reason to celebrate. Cameron has a viable and potentially winning game plan once again. Labour must have a better one.
• The IMF warns UK economic policy must change or face permanent damage 19 Jul 2012
• The left shouldn’t celebrate if Osborne is dropped, it could just benefit the Tories 17 Jul 2012
• Tory MP: Osborne has “obviously made a mistake” and “he should apologise to Balls” 10 Jul 2012
• Once again, hypocritical, deregulation-loving Osborne attacks Labour over bank regulation 3 Jul 2012
• First he upset the bakers, now bird watchers are calling Osborne “a bloody idiot” 19 Jun 2012
Back in April, Osborne was criticised of being out of touch and “arrogant” by Conservative backbencher Nadine Dorries:
“I think that not only are Cameron and Osborne two posh boys who don’t know the price of milk, but they are two arrogant posh boys who show no remorse, no contrition, and no passion to want to understand the lives of others – and that is their real crime.”
Former chancellor and Tory peer Lord Lawson was more subtle with his criticism, saying that Osborne should give up his role as chief strategist to focus on his role as chancellor. Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has accused Osborne of being a “part time chancellor”.
After a string of errors by the chancellor, his replacement would give opportunity for smug celebration from the Left. But as Irvin mentioned previously, replacing Osborne could benefit the Tories and improve their chances of winning again in 2015.
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17 Responses to “Bad news for Osborne, as polls show majority of people want a new chancellor”
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