In January 2 polls put Livingstone ahead by 2%, reversing Johnson’s 8% lead. Last month A YouGov poll reversed the position, putting Johnson ahead by the same margin.
When asked to choose between a field of just Livingstone and Johnson, 54% say they would prefer a second term for Johnson over Livingstone’s return to City Hall.
On the question of how Londoners would vote if there were an election tomorrow, Johnson scored 49%, Livingstone 41% and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick 5%.
More than half of those polled, 56%, say Johnson is doing is job well, 33% say they think he’s doing “badly”. Asked about Livingstone’s performance during his two terms at City Hall, 46% say he did well with 40% answering “badly”.
Respondents were also asked about each candidate’s personal qualities.
Livingstone continues to lead Johnson on being most in touch with ordinary people (32 to 13%) but trails on the issue of honesty (22 to 15%).
More than half (54%) answered “don’t know” when asked to list Paddick’s qualities, suggesting the Liberal Democrat candidate is failing to make an impact with voters.
Damian Hockney says
March 20, 2012 at 5:33 pmBecause of low turnouts and other factors, polls really are meaningless in these elections, in a way that they are less so (ie less meaningless!) in a General Election. Who would take a bet on turnout going over 50% (it has never done so before at the Mayor elections), and yet what do the polls say? The YouGov poll in February appears to have shown only 7% saying they would not vote. Really? In reality, isn’t that more likely to be 67% not voting? And doesn’t that make nonsense of the expressed voting intentions of the enormous numbers who say they will vote and will not? This type of thing does not happen in General Election to the same degree. And remember as well – last time, days before polling day and published on the same day, one poll gave Ken a 3% lead, another gave Boris an 11% lead.
Robin says
March 21, 2012 at 12:47 amWhy are UKIP only listed with others? Cant believe we;re not on 5-6% when we are near 8% Nationally UK. Media continues ”Old Gits” roadshow. UKIP’s GLA candidates are youngest and Professionals.?
Damian Hockney says
March 21, 2012 at 1:44 pmThe London Maayor election is entirely different, Robin, and as I have made clear, if your candidate gets no media (or barely any) then he will effectively be invisible and what he stands for will be unknown. This election is perceived in advance always by the media as a two-horse race and is a classic case of a self fulfilling prophecy. It becomes so by being treated everywhere as being so. If the broadcast media are allowed now by the guidelines to give the Greens more coverage then it will reflect in ma better result for them because they will be permitted to be not invisible…
I just invite you to add up the tv given already for the “main” candidates against the tv given for UKIP. It’s hours against zero, really. So how could he be on even 5-6% never mind 8%. Most will not even know he is standing. And of course he is barred by the rules from writing to his electorate today to say he is standing!!
Robin says
March 21, 2012 at 8:48 pmHope youare well Damian, your replies are always Positive.