Labour

Non-doms: Public overwhelmingly back Labour policy

Non-doms: Public overwhelmingly back Labour policy

Reading the reaction in the press over the past 24 hours to Labour's commitment to scrap the non-dom tax status, you might have assumed it was hugely unpopular.

The Evening Standard's response last night was typical, leading with a front-page splash on the "BACKLASH" over Miliband's policy.

According to the snap FirstVerdict poll, 77% of people support removing the non-dom tax break on wealthy UK residents, with just 20% opposing it.

A separate Survation poll for the Mirror today also found broad support for the policy with 70% of Labour voters backing it and just 15% opposing it. Even Conservative voters were in favour with 47% backing it as opposed to just 29% opposing it.

Much of the press reaction has also focused on the policy apparently being anti-enterprise, with the Telegraph pushing claims that the policy would be "cataclysmic" for business. However, far from being seen as too hostile to business, YouGov actually found that voters think Miliband has got his position about right.

According to the poll 45% thought Miliband had got his criticisms of some businesses and wealthy people "about right" with a further 19% saying he hadn't gone far enough. By contrast just 25% said he had gone too far.

The findings came as a series of national polls gave Labour a clear lead over the Conservatives in the general election race. Survation found Labour ahead by four points on 35%, TNS found them ahead by three points on 33% and Panelbase found them six points ahead on 37%.