Popularity by Poll SIR—Janus, commenting on the recent Gallup Poll,
remarks that "no previous poll has been anything like as favourable to the Conservatives as this." This is not the case. The recent poll showed 51 per cent. supporting the Conservatives, and 38 per cent. the Labour Party. In November, 1947, after the convertibility crisis, the Conservative lead was almost identical, 504 to 38: but by January, 1948, the two parties were nearly level (Conservative 444, Labour 431). In November, 1949, after devaluation. the Conservatives again led heavily, by 48 to 38; but by February, 1950, Labour was ahead. The large Conservative lead last month is no proof of victory in three months' time ; nor, of course, does Labour's success in recovering twice from similar disasters prove that the performance can be repeated.—Yours faithfully,
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