LONDON, Dec 24 (KUNA) — Almost half of British voters believe it is “time for change” and that the main opposition Conservatives should form the next government, according to a poll published here Monday.
The survey for The Independent newspaper also found that more people think Conservative leader David Cameron would make a better prime minister than Gordon Brown.
But the poll gives some comfort to Labour, providing further evidence that they are slowly closing the Conservatives’ overall poll lead despite continued difficulties for the Government.
While Conservative support stands at 41 percent, up one since last month, Labour’s is up three to 30 percent, narrowing the gap from 13 points to 11.
The smaller opposition Liberal Democrats are down two to 16 percent.
The trend is similar to that in a survey published last Friday in The Guardian newspaper, which showed the gap between the main two parties had closed from six to five percentage points.
But today’s figures, if repeated in a General Election, would still give the Conservatives a House of Commons majority of about 46.
The poll also indicated a groundswell of support for a change of administration, with 48 percent agreeing that “it’s time for change and the next government should be a Conservative one”.
Only 36 percent would prefer a Labour government.
Cameron is backed by 39 percent of voters to make the best prime minister, compared to 37 percent for Brown.
Since becoming Prime Minister last June, Brown has faced a series of problems, including the mortgage crisis, the loss of computer discs containing sensitive details of over 25 million people, and grants given by wealthy businessmen to the Labour party.