LDV pre-conference members’ survey (2): leading Lib Dems’ approval ratings

By Stephen Tall | Thu 17th September 2009 - 2:25 pm

Over the last week or so, Lib Dem Voice has invited the members of our private forum (open to all Lib Dem members) inviting them to take part in a survey, conducted via Liberty Research, asking a number of questions about the party and the current state of British politics. Many thanks to the c.250 of you who completed it; we’re publishing the results on LDV over the next few days. You can catch up on the results of our exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the satsfaction ratings with the Lib Dem shadow cabinet; but today we’re going to focus on those leading Lib Dems beyond Westminster.

LDV asked, How would you rate the performances of the following leading Liberal Democrats? And here’s what you told us (with results from April – the last time LDV asked the question – in brackets):

Fiona Hall, Leader of the UK Lib Dem MEPs:
Quite/very effective 17%, Quite/very ineffective 23%
Net effectiveness rating: -6% (-11% for Andrew Duff in April)

Kirsty Williams AM, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats:
Quite/very effective 45%, Quite/very ineffective 11%
Net effectiveness rating: +34% (+42% in April)

Mike Tuffrey, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly:
Quite/very effective 14%, Quite/very ineffective 27%
Net effectiveness rating: -13% (-17% in April)

Ros Scott, Party President of the Liberal Democrats: Quite/very effective 47%, Quite/very ineffective 32%
Net effectiveness rating: +15% (+50% in April)

Tavish Scott MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats:
Quite/very effective 34%, Quite/very ineffective 24%
Net effectiveness rating: +10% (+15% in April)

Interesting results:

Fiona and Mike have yet to develop strong profiles within the party, with some 60% of party members who completed the LDV survey feeling unable to rate their performances as effective or not. Fiona, it’s only fair to note, has only been in the role a matter of months.

both Kirsty’s and Tavish’s ratings have slipped a little, just as Nick Clegg’s have. I suspect there’s something about the summer break, when political news often takes a backseat, and our leaders seem quieter than usual, which results in slightly lower approval ratings.

there is an undeniable and marked decline in the approval ratings for Ros, down from +50% to +15%. There’s little doubt this is the result of the MPs’ expenses scandal, and in particular the perception that the party leadership – and Ros in particular as president – has failed adequately to address the continuing question marks about former Lib Dem chief executive Lord (Chris) Rennard’s House of Lords expenses claims.

LDV pre-conference members’ survey (1): Nick Clegg & Party approval ratings

4 Comments

Jeremy Hargreaves 17th Sep '09 - 4:57pm

You’re probably right that the MPs expenses scandal is relevant to Ros’s rating, but I would say it’s more to do with the fact that in the six months leading up to April she was everywhere in the party (during the Presidential election and then inauguration) but since then has unsurprisingly been rather less prominent.

I agree with you about Fiona. Leader of LDEPP is scarcely the most high profile in the party at the best of times – and is in any case much more of a primus inter pares role than the leader in the Commons, Scotland or Wales – and to have expected her to make a mark in it during the summer holiday alone is possibly expecting a bit much!
Herbert Brown 17th Sep '09 - 11:52pm

“There’s little doubt this is the result of the MPs’ expenses scandal, and in particular the perception that the party leadership – and Ros in particular as president – has failed adequately to address the continuing question marks about former Lib Dem chief executive Lord (Chris) Rennard’s House of Lords expenses claims.”

Well, I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels there are continuing question marks over Lord Rennard’s claims!

At times it feels as though the party has simply declared there is no case to answer and erected a wall of silence around the subject.
Robson 18th Sep '09 - 1:12am

Fiona Hall is a top MEP and is one who is actually known by North-East voters. Shock horror!! I voted in full support of her – she has big shoes to fill but she has the talent to get there.
Dave Page 18th Sep '09 - 10:39am

When I fill in these polls, I usually consider whether a figure is somebody I should have heard of as a Liberal Democrat, and then whether (a) I can remember anything they’ve said on any issue and (b) whether it was something recent. I believe that if we’re going to succeed as a party then all of our front-bench team should be making memorable statements on a regular basis, and keep up with the party’s news feed.