Brown 'spins as much as Blair'

In a survey for Newsnight's Big Fat Politics Page, 61% said Mr Brown's government was as likely to spin as that of predecessor Tony Blair - 15% thought it more likely to spin.

Conducted after this week's pre-budget report, the poll also reveals 57% believe Labour "pinched" Conservative tax ideas.

ICM polled 1010 adults by telephone between 10-11 October 2007.

Change

POLL QUESTIONS
1 - Gordon Brown promised a new era of spin free politics. Compared with the Government under Tony Blair do you believe that Gordon Brown's government is:

• More likely to spin: 15%
• No Different: 61%
• Less likely: 20%
• Don't know: 4%

• Agree: 57%
• Disagree: 34%
• Don't Know: 9%

The figures show a significant change to a similar poll conducted by ICM in May 2006 year, in which 24 per cent felt that Gordon Brown was more likely to spin, compared with 53 per cent who felt that Tony Blair was more likely to spin.

Asked whether Chancellor Alistair Darling had copied Conservative ideas on taxation, more than half of those questioned agreed.

ICM Research's interviewed a random sample of adults aged 18+ across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

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