Monday PM David Cameron reportedly has something to smile about namely a four-point lead in the pre-election polls. "Boost for David Cameron as Conservative party puts in strongest showing in polls for nearly two years with increased voter focus on the importance of jobs, prices and wages" reports the Daily Telegraph a Conservative supporting publication. But it was not only the Telegraph, the Independent also reported "General Election 2015: Conservatives take four-point lead in latest polling ahead." Pre-Election polls can be a good indication of how the electorate will vote but that is not always the case. Firstly consider that there are bound to be some people polled who do not give a damn and never take such polls seriously. They could say anything especially if taking part in the poll offers cash or some type of reward. The poll used this time was a Guardian/ ICM poll. Other polls this weekend differed and showed Labour making headway. The Telegraph Monday opted to publish this poll however claiming "ICM's phone poll is seen as the "gold standard" as it came closest to forecasting the result of the last General Election." As the devil is always in the detail here are the results courtesy of the Telegraph "Tories are six points up to 36 per cent, only one point short of their result in the 2010 General Election. Labour support fell one point to 32 per cent, while the Liberal Democrats were also down a point to 10 per cent." The Tories gain has been at the expense of the Greens and UKIP. Both of those smaller parties looked set to be possible kingmakers in the 2015 General Election but both have lost some support recently according to the poll. Then there is the news that the Tories are now almost at their 2010 General Election result. Although they technically won the election they did not have enough of a majority to form a government without the support of the Liberal Democrats and its leader "kingmaker" Nick Clegg. Jobs, prices and wages are just three of the important issues that voters will consider before they vote. There is also political honesty, the state of the NHS, the threatened future austerity cuts if the Tories are re-elected and the increasing rich poor and north south divide in the UK. Cameron may allow himself a smile today but it could be a grimace. All parties still have some way to go before May 7 and the election. The Tories have the spring budget up their sleeves which could offer a range of promises and spin figures out of control.
But all the parties need to remember the late Labour PM Harold Wilson words when he reportedly said "Forty-eight hours is a long time in politics". Pollsters take note-this person is voting Labour but chooses not to take part in pre-election polls.
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