I tend not to read too much into political polls- and that is not just because this year they have not made particularly pretty reading! But I was fascinated by the media reaction (actually I think it was just the same NZPA story re-printed in a number of places) to the UMR state of the nation poll.
The headline focuses on the relatively high average popularity ratings of the PM and the government. While on average for the year it showed National in the mid 50s and Labour in the low 30s, the latest results (December) revealed something different. National had dipped to their lowest poll rating since the election (48%) and Labour had risen to its highest (35%).
Generally the reporting of polls focuses on the latest results. The high averages are interesting from an historical standpoint, but I would have thought the most recent results would have been the focus of the coverage. Hmm. Anyway, back to not reading too much into polls….
That’s great news!
Yes I haven’t seen that one anywhere!
Generally the reporting of polls focuses on the latest results. The high averages are interesting from an historical standpoint, but I would have thought the most recent results would have been the focus of the coverage. Hmm. Anyway, back to not reading too much into polls….
The latest poll Dated 18/12/2009 released by Roy Morgan has Labour at 27.5% National 54%
http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2009/4451/
What the media hasn’t picked up is the reassuring perception which the poll respondents have of the performance of government agencies. As always, the public affection for firefighters continues with 91% saying they do an “excellent or good” job. But interestingly the second place rating for Police at 78% (up 8%) is the highest the Force has ever recorded, and people now think better of IRD than the Ministries of Health and Education, although nurses, doctors and teachers are still at the top of the list of respected occupations. Politicians near the bottom of the heap for respect, hang between bankers and stockbrokers…. perhaps more an Easter analogy than a christmas story.
You are too kind Grant. National dipped 6% and Labour increased by 2%. The Greens were also up. This was a 2 party swing of 8% and the gap is now 13%.
The reporting was appalling. It was not the reporting on news, rather it was applying the type of spin that Crosby Textor would be proud of.