An ICM poll in May 1990 showed that 22% of voters backed the Poll Tax (here). This weekend, a poll from ComRes showed that 28% of voters want David Cameron to push on with the Bedroom Tax (here). It is also worth noting that Tory strength in the opinion polls was 32% in mid 1990, and is in and around the same figure today.
Those most opposed to the Bedroom Tax are Scottish voters, and voters from the North of England. This echoes the Poll Tax period that saw Scotland lead the resistance. Voters most opposed the Bedroom Tax are Plaid Cymru voters, SNP voters and Labour Party voters in that order. But it is worth noting that not even a majority of Tory voters want Cameron to push ahead with the Bedroom Tax. More than 80% of Tory voters think it is wrong that households that have soldiers fighting for their country in Afghanistan should be lumbered with the £1,300 tax.
There are some differences between the two periods needless to say. Opinion was more firmly set against the Poll Tax with a lower percentage of "don't knows". The unfairness of the Poll Tax was felt by many more people than will lose out under the Bedroom Tax. For the Bedroom Tax protests to remain containable, David Cameron will be hoping that those unaffected by the Bedroom Tax, stand by the sidelines while their neighbour suffers. If ever there was a time that the Tory Party desperately needed the saying "There is no such thing as society" to be true, then that time is surely now.
We in Labour Left will be holding more than 30 Bedroom Tax Protests nationwide on the 16 March. Further demonstrations are earmarked for the 30 March by the Anti-Bedroom Tax campaign. We are calling on David Cameron to delay this Bedroom Tax by at least 1 year, so that its impact on the disabled, single parents, non-resident parents, pensioners, soldiers and carers can be properly thought through.
The Green Benches
