Poll shows Howard not trusted in Shepway

A new poll of Shepway residents show that just 1 in 5 Shepway voters trust Michael Howard's Conservatives to keep their promises. Even amongst Conservative voters, fewer than half say they trust Mr Howard.

Two thirds of Shepway residents also said that Mr Howard was not 'in touch' with the issues that matter.

The poll carried out by top poll company ICM for the Daily Mirror revealed just how much trouble Mr Howard is in even in his own Constituency.

The poll was carried out BEFORE last week's vital Hartlepool by-election where the Conservatives finished fourth behind UKIP - their worst by-election result since the second world war.

Nick Sparrow of ICM said, "A party should have solid support on the key issues among their own supporters. The Conservatives haven't in the constituency of their own leader."

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Peter Carroll said, "Mr Howard and the Conservatives remain untrusted and unpopular in Shepway. There is no doubt that Mr Howard is at great risk of losing his seat to the Liberal Democrats at the next General Election."

Just last week, The Independent revealed that extra campaign resources were being moved into Folkestone by the Conservatives to help defend Mr Howard's seat. A local Conservative source said that it "only adds to a sense of slight panic."

`