More bad news for Blair in poll
Voters see British Prime Minister Tony Blair as out of touch and failing, a new ICM poll revealed tonight.
Mr Blair has seen the Labour Party’s lead over the Tories cut from 5% to 1% since Christmas.
More damaging, the public say he has failed on health, transport, asylum and crime.
However, voters appear fed up with the continuing rows over war in Iraq and weapons of mass destruction.
Almost three quarters, 72%, said Parliament has spent too long discussing the issues, according to the survey for the News of the World.
Just 16% say the hunt for captured Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s arsenal should be a top priority for the Government.
That compares with 54% who say ministers should concentrate on the National Health Service.
An overwhelming 70% say extra cash has failed to improve the service.
Nine out of 10 believe too much has gone on bureaucracy rather than patient care.
Just 9% said Britain’s transport network had improved since Mr Blair came to power in 1997.
Almost half, 48%, said it was worse while 39% thought it had stayed the same.
Britain is still seen as a soft touch for asylum seekers, according to 85%.
Almost as many, 80%, say Mr Blair has failed to tackle illegal immigration.
Just 8% believe the streets are now safer than in 1997 while 73% say street crime has risen.
Labour still leads in the poll on 34% but the Tories are on 33% and the Liberal Democrats on 24%.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,001 adults across the country between February 4 and 5.
