Grumblings from the grassroots

LabourHome’s poll of Labour members – featured on the cover of today’s Independent – has caused quite a stir.  UK polling report summarises the criticism that a few Labour figures have levelled against it – i.e. that it’s not sufficiently scientific – but also points out that similar polls by ConservativeHome have proved quite accurate in the past.  Either way, the results are well worth a read.  Here are some of the headline findings:

46.2% want Gordon Brown to lead Labour into the next election. 53.8% would prefer someone else.   45.3% believe a change of leader would improve Labour’s General Election prospects. 27.7% believe a change would harm Labour’s prospects. 27% believe it would make no difference. If Gordon Brown were to step aside, people would prefer: 24.6% David Miliband 18.1% Alan Johnson 11.3% Jon Cruddas 9.6% Jack Straw 6.6% Harriet Harman 6.5% John McDonnell 3.2% James Purnell 2% Ed Balls 18% Other names specified unprompted, significantly John Reid, John Denham and Hilary Benn, none more than 2%

As Ben Brogan points