HARPER, MULCAIR, TRUDEAU – OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
The next federal election will feature different leaders for two of the main parties, and there’s already plenty of evidence that perceptions of leaders will play a major role in the outcome. While much can change between now and the next election, voters already have perceptions of today’s leaders, which we explored in our latest poll. – See more at: http://abacusdata.ca/2014/08/29/harper-mulcair-trudeau-impressions/#sthash.dYYltW1D.dpuf
At an overall level, 27% have a positive feeling about Stephen Harper, 45% are negative, and 28% are neutral or have no opinion. The PM engenders more negative than positive feelings among both men and women, across all age groups and in every region except Alberta. In that province, 39% have a positive view of Mr. Harper, 33% negative. Among swing voters (those who will consider all three main parties) Mr. Harper is 30% positive/24% negative.
Tom Mulcair has generated more positive (27%) than negative (21%) feelings, and a relatively large 51% still have a neutral or no opinion of the NDP leader. Mr. Mulcair’s reputation is net positive among all age groups, men and women, in Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Saskatchewan/Manitoba and BC. Among swing voters 20% are positive, only 3% negative.
Justin Trudeau enjoys 38% positive impressions compared to 29% negative, and 33% neutral or no opinion. His reputation is more positive than negative among men and women, in every region but Alberta (30% positive/38% negative) and all age groups under 60. Among those 60 or older, 39% are positive, 39% negative. Among swing voters, Trudeau fares well: 36% positive, 14% negative.
WHAT DEFINES A LEADER?
Leadership can be hard to define – but voters know what they like when they see it.
We gave respondents a forced choice question about what was most important to them in deciding to support a political leader. By a considerable margin, “values” (42%) were identified as the top quality to look for, followed by judgment (29%). “Ideas” (15%) and “attitude” (13%) were well back in consideration.