Promise to work hard, steer clear of the mudslinging and turn down the bombast.Paul Martin and Stephen Harper would do well to take note of NDP Leader Jack Layton’s approach to politics — it’s striking a chord with voters.Layton heads into tonight’s non-confidence votes with the enviable title of the most trusted leader in English Canada, according to a new Toronto Star-EKOS Research Associates poll.Martin and Harper — whose own trust numbers slide in the poll — can only envy Layton’s new-found respect.Layton’s perception among the public has undergone a “breathtaking shift,” pollster Frank Graves says.Just a year ago, Layton was considered as a too-slick salesman who voters “didn’t really treat too seriously,” said Graves, president of EKOS Research.”He was doing okay but wasn’t really ringing any bells. Now … at the national level, (he) is the most trusted leader,” said Graves.”He has really, really turned things around. They (the NDP) are sitting in a much better position,” he said.The pollster believes the transformation has come largely in the last few months, as Layton has tried to put himself and his party above the angry politics that has consumed Parliament. Layton’s style is paying dividends. A poll of 1,203 Canadians showed that 36 per cent placed a high level of trust in the NDP leader, compared with 30 per cent for Martin and 26 per cent for Harper. Layton’s approval rating has jumped significantly from February 2004 when it stood at 22 per cent.One factor is Layton’s big coup when he persuaded the Liberals last month to rewrite the budget, adding $4.6 billion in new money for foreign aid, housing and education while delaying tax breaks for corporations.In return, Layton pledged the support of his 19-member caucus to try to keep the minority Liberal government alive through tonight’s budget votes.
Public support for the NDP remains static at about 19 per cent. But the party is the second choice of 28 per cent of voters, far above the other parties. That factor, together with Layton’s high trust numbers, could deliver a windfall for the NDP in the next election, Graves said.”They could realistically double their seats. They could even do better. There’s an outside scenario where the NDP could win government. It’s hardly likely but it’s not science-fiction any more,” Graves said.”They are unquestionably in the best position that the NDP have been since … the mid ’80s,” he said.Graves said the NDP could also capitalize on public frustration with the existing minority government. While voters remain reluctant to elect a majority government, most now want to see a formal alliance between parties to create a more stable Parliament, the poll showed.
Public support for the NDP remains static at about 19 per cent. But the party is the second choice of 28 per cent of voters, far above the other parties. That factor, together with Layton’s high trust numbers, could deliver a windfall for the NDP in the next election, Graves said.”They could realistically double their seats. They could even do better. There’s an outside scenario where the NDP could win government. It’s hardly likely but it’s not science-fiction any more,” Graves said.”They are unquestionably in the best position that the NDP have been since … the mid ’80s,” he said.Graves said the NDP could also capitalize on public frustration with the existing minority government. While voters remain reluctant to elect a majority government, most now want to see a formal alliance between parties to create a more stable Parliament, the poll showed.
It’s good to see a party of integrity and compassion finally taking off. How wonderful it would be to have Canada wrested from the right-wingers and centrists.