London, Aug 14 (IANS) The British government is about to complete its first 100 days in office, but a poll conducted among voters has described the David Cameron-Nick Clegg coalition as ‘disappointing’.
The survey conducted by Harris Interactive says the shine has come off the coalition, as 57 percent of people described its performance as ‘disappointing’, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.
Just 23 percent of people think Britain is better off with a coalition, and 31 percent preferred a single party government.
But the public has supported the coalition’s tough move on the economic crisis. A total of 56 percent said ‘deep cuts’ were essential to restore Britain’s battered finances, with only 25 percent opposing the move.
But 41 percent of people felt the deficit should not be tackled at a breakneck speed, while around 48 percent said tax rises were ‘essential’ in tackling the budget deficit. And 39 percent believed the government will get Britain’s economy back on its feet.
Nearly six out of ten voters described the character of the coalition government as ‘honest’ but ‘unpopular’.
The Tories are down in popularity from 36 percent at the time of election to 29 percent now, while Lib Dem support has collapsed from 23 percent to just 12.
‘Insofar as this government ever had a honeymoon it is certainly over now. If I were David Cameron, I would be pretty concerned that 57 percent of voters think the coalition has been disappointing,’ an analyst said.
Cameron is apparently happier sharing power with the Lib Dems than if the Tories had won the election convincingly, a source claimed.
‘There are six people in the party who are happier with a coalition than if we’d won with a 100-seat majority. I am one of them and Mr Cameron is another,’ the source said.
