Grassroots remain united behind David Cameron

The numbers aren't quite as high as those that immediately followed last autumn's dramatic events but David Cameron continues to enjoy very high levels of support from the Conservative grassroots.

1,525 Tory members were surveyed from 28th March to 31st March.

Comments

[Letters From A Tory]

Maintaining this kind of momentum is now the key. Major slip-ups by the Conservatives are the only way that Labour stand a chance at the next election.

[englandism.com]

Can we see the other findings? One is of particular interest.

[Editor]

All will be revealed over the next few days englandism...

[Bill Brinsmead]

Editor, can you please give more details on the 1,525 “members” surveyed?

For instance: Are they all, or do they all claim to be, members of the Conservative Party?

[Geoff]

What are you expecting Bill Brinsmead? I am a fully paid-up member and past candidate who responds to each survey: are you expecting 1,524 similar responses because this would make for a rather tedious thread.

[Sunlit Uplinks]

Yep, lets see the full results. This site is constantly complaining CCHQ hasn't published the full details of the MEP candidate rankings.

Surely it should be: 'just 12% say THEY are on the wrong track' or better still say 'The Conservative Party' rather than 'The Tories'.

[Dave C]

Editor several comments on the immigration blog have been deleted or have disappeared somehow. Is this intentional censorship or a technical blip?

[Editor]

Bill Brinsmead: In terms of trusting the surveys I recommend this link. I wrote it some time ago and should probably update it but it remains a good description of why the survey is trustworthy although not perfect.

Sunlit Uplinks: As I said to englandism all the results will be published but not today. Apologies for the error in the graphic. I'm also planning to publish a digest of where Tory members and supporters differ in their answers to the survey.

Dave C: I haven't deleted any comments on the immigration thread.

[englandism.com]

Hi Editor

Boris is taking a bit of a bashing at Comment is Free on two threads should anyone wish to counter the online GLA surfteam.

[Dave C]

Editor
There are 10 missing from apr 1 16.32 onwards. Try clicking on the DaveC David Davis topic on the list of recent comments to illustrate. It does not bring up the comment nor any of the others from the above time onwards

[Matt Kellett]

"Yep, lets see the full results. This site is constantly complaining CCHQ hasn't published the full details of the MEP candidate rankings."
When haven't the full results been published??

[John Broughton]

Editor

My only "complaint" is that it is not possible to nuance replies. Eg "on the right track" is a yes but . . .

I could not answer on the wrong track and can only conclude that this is a broad brush approach.

[Editor]

Editor
There are 10 missing from apr 1 16.32 onwards. Try clicking on the DaveC David Davis topic on the list of recent comments to illustrate. It does not bring up the comment nor any of the others from the above time onwards

Dave C: I think I've discovered the problem. TypePad (this blog's hosts) are currently introducing new software. This means that long pages are now broken up and you have to press the two chevrons that appear at the bottom of these pages to see other comments/ posts. The trouble is that these chevrons are very discreet. I've contacted TypePad to make it clearer that people need to click on the chevrons to see other comments etc.

I hope this makes sense!

[Dave C]

Editor

The comment below and 9 others have disappeared from the David Davis immigration topic. What is going on?
---
The information below confirms that the non EU immigration in 2006 was 70% of the total. The figure quoted by Brown (and others) today of 20% applies only to work related immigration (22% as shown at the bottom of this information) missing out dependents, unknowns and others and is yet another example of Brown 'misspeaking' about government statistics.

Letter dated 25 February 2008:

To
Abigail Armstrong
Statistics Commission
HM Treasury
Room G / 071
Horse Guards Road
LondonSW1A 2HQ

Dear Abigail,

You requested my comments on the points raised by Andrew Green in his letter to the Statistics Commission dated 17 December.....

To answer, Andrew Green’s specific questions at the end of his letter, I would
answer:

• the proportion of inflows to the UK from outside the EU in 2006, based on IPS data, is around 60% including British arrivals and around 70% excluding British arrivals; and
• the proportion of non-EU immigration, in 2006, that was work related was 22%.

David Blunt
Chief Statistician &
Head of Profession for Statistics
Home Office

Posted by: Dave C | April 01, 2008 at 19:45

[Peter Harrison]

Dave C - The comment is still there. As Tim says, you need to click on the >> just above the "Post a comment" form to get to the second page of comments.

[Dave C]

Editor
Our comments crossed. Your explanation does not take into account that if you click on to the David Davis immigration topic all comments after apr 1 16.32 are not shown in any way whatsoever. And there are at least 10 comments missing

[Dave C]

Peter and Editor.
Thanks. That's a relief. I was beginning to wonder if you had succumbed to the BBC website tendency!

[Editor]

I think I've fixed the problem now, Dave C.

I've increased the number of comments that display to 50 and also added words either side of the chevrons that make the breaks clearer.

[Mike H]

John Broughton 12:01 "My only "complaint" is that it is not possible to nuance replies. Eg "on the right track" is a yes but . . .

I could not answer on the wrong track and can only conclude that this is a broad brush approach."

I entirely agree with JB's comment. The possible responses in these surveys are too binary in their nature and don't allow respondents to convey neutrality. Forced into being either 'satisfied' or 'dissatisfied' with DC is just one example.

[Examiner]

In politics as in life, the majority is usually wrong. Take for instance the last three general election results. It has to be said that democracy is not the best way!