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Impact of expenses scandal less than expected
As was the case last year, Liberal Democrat MPs enjoyed much higher ratings than Conservative or Labour in the marginal seats we surveyed. However, in the wake of the expenses scandal this year we also asked about the MP expenses scandal.
Few people in marginal seats seem to be particularly concerned about their own MP’s conduct. 38% said their own MP had behaved well and was not implicated, 16% their MP's behaviour was dubious but better than most. Only 12% thought their own MP's behaviour was unacceptable but within the rules (8%) or that they had actually broken the rules (4%). 33% did not know whether their own MP had been implicated or not.
Asked to tick those things that were important to them in a local MP, only 37% said that being honest with their expenses was important, rating behind being in touch with ordinary people (51%) and having the independence of mind to put their constituency above their party sometimes (51%). Those who did think honesty in expenses was an important issue were more likely than not to think that they own MP was honest.
There will probably be exceptions in a few seats with high profile scandals or challengers, but the impact of expenses sleaze in marginal seats seems to less than expected. Most people think their own MPs were either exonerated, or don’t seem to care.
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Introduction --- Prediction Summary --- The new political landscape --- Tactical Voting and the Personal Vote --- The Deciding Factors --- The Key Issues --- Sleaze --- Campaigning --- Changing Opinions --- Methodology --- View 2008 report
REGIONAL BREAKDOWNS:
Inner London --- Outer London --- London's Commuter Belt --- Seaside Towns --- Labour's Southern Bastions --- Urban West Midlands --- West Midlands hinterland --- East Midlands --- West Yorkshire --- North West --- North East England --- Cumbria --- Conservatives vs Lib Dems: South West --- Conservatives vs Lib Dems: Elsewhere --- Labour vs Lib Dems --- Welsh Marginals --- Scottish Marginals
