Howard still failing to improve Tory poll rating

12.00.00am GMT Fri 5th Nov 2004

Michael Howard has made absolutely no progress compared to Iain Duncan Smith. His party continue to flat-line in the polls.

Ahead of tomorrow's 1st anniversary of Michael Howard becoming Conservative Leader, Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Chairman, today said that he had failed to hold the Government to account, let alone provide any realistic alternative to Labour.

Despite the unpopularity of Tony Blair's Government, the Conservatives remain almost 5% below their poll rating at the same stage in the last Parliament - which was followed by their second worst General Election defeat since 1835.

Commenting, Matthew Taylor MP said:

"After a year as party leader, Michael Howard has made absolutely no progress compared to Iain Duncan Smith. His party continue to flat-line in the polls.

"He has proved himself incapable of effectively holding the Government to account. It is small wonder that on issues such as pensions, crime, schools, hospitals, and the war in Iraq people are increasingly turning to the Liberal Democrats as the only effective alternative to Labour."