First poll since Legg review: still no sympathy from public |

Friday 16th October 2009 | 12:21

First poll since Legg review: still no sympathy from public

Despite protestations from MPs about demands for retrospective payments, the majority of the voting public think Legg has not been tough enough

MPs may be angry and feel mistreated by the demands for retrospective payments from Sir Thomas Legg, but the first poll since the expenses scandal returned to the front pages shows that public anger is as strong as ever.

The new PoliticsHome poll suggests that more than half the population believes the recommendations were 'not tough enough', 57% have 'no sympathy whatsoever' and 60% are as interested in the story as they ever were. The LIberal Democrat MPs are perceived to have behaved the best.

Asked to respond to the accusations of unfairness in the Legg recommendations, more than half felt the latest recommendations were ‘not tough enough on MPs’:

Three-quarters of the public have either ‘little sympathy’ or ‘no sympathy whatsoever’ for MPs being forced to pay back expenses retrospectively. More than half have have no sympathy whatsoever.

David Cameron’s announcement that MPs who fail to pay back money will not stand for the Conservatives again was popular with voters. 81% supported this action, and saw large support across party lines.

The public interest in the story is as strong as ever. Majorities of supporters of each party (and non-aligned voters) are still interested in the story.

36% of the public believe Labour MPs have behaved the worst in the scandal, although the same number said ‘no party in particular’. Just one respondent (out of over a thousand) said that Liberal Democrat MPs were the worst offenders.

PoliticsHome interviewed 1,154 adults between 14-15 October 2009. Results are weighted by party ID to reflect the UK at large.

Leave a comment...

Number 6

14:24 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
26

Interesting reading. However, the real gravy train riders in the EU are gettting an easy ride. Their avarice and 'entiltements' make British MPs look like children stealing sweets from the corner shop.

JR

15:53 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
16

They are all scum and should end up behind bars and enjoy some tough love in the showers!!

Mike

15:56 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
22

So where are the prosecutions for mass fraud carried out by MP after MP - avoidance of Cap Gains tax,complete fraud on mortgages etc etc?

These scum don't need voting out - they need executing starting with Brown.

JR

15:59 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
10

Mike,

Your talking sense. Become an MP you get my vote!!

TG

16:10 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
14

Mike,

Add mine to J.R's. What I can't understand is the law will throw limitless funds at prosecuting 'welfare scounger'who have fiddled a few quid and this lot of fiddlers such as Smith get away with an apology.Crazy country.

P.E. Dant

17:14 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
3

Please use the Queen's English. I am bored with the story, not bored of the story.

Roberto

20:54 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
4

Most voters are complete morons anyway

Newsnet Scotland

23:49 |
16 Oct 2009
Recommended
3

Interestingly the Secretary of State for Scotland - Jim Murphy - has yet to reveal the contents of his letter. The media in Scotland are turning a blind eye to the reluctance of many Scottish Labour MP's to make public the contents of their respective letters.

The SNP early this week publicised the details for every one of their MP's.

Is there anyone in England who could perhaps enquire of Mr Murphy on behalf of Scots?

john east

10:08 |
17 Oct 2009
Recommended
4

I see that only 8% of Labour voters believe that Labour MP's behaved the worst. If they are clever enough the other 92% of Labour voters must be experiencing severe cognitive dissonance.

RM

12:41 |
19 Oct 2009
Recommended
5

And yet, with all this unrest being publicised the majority of MPs are too self obsessed & too far gone to consider that they may have done anything wrong. First they thieve, then they whinge about being found out, then they whinge about having to make reparation. The CPS needs to get its act together as a vist to Court - as a defendant - a trial for fraud & harsh sentences, plus losing their jobs & pensions - as the Police do if they're sacked for gross misconduct might wake them up a bit..

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First poll since Legg review: still no sympathy from public