Chancellor George Osborne's Poll Ratings Plummet

'Omnishambles' Osborne Takes A Tumble In Poll Ratings

George Osborne's personal poll ratings have plummeted in the wake of his "omnishambles" Budget, according to fresh research.

Voters have dramatically lost confidence in the chancellor's ability, with 58% dissatisfied, a year-on-year decline from 23% at the time of the 2010 emergency Budget and 45% last year.

The ratings are the worst for a chancellor since his Conservative colleague Ken Clarke was in office in December 1994, according to Ipsos MORI.

Mr Osborne's Budget has sparked public protests and mini-rebellions as the impact of the "granny tax", reduction in the 50p tax and "pasty tax" emerged, leading Ed Miliband to brand it an "omnishambles".

The Labour leader's personal ratings over the month are unchanged, with 34% satisfied and 52% dissatisfied.

More voters are dissatisfied with David Cameron as prime minister since March - up from 52% to 57% - his worst rating since becoming leader of the Conservative Party.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: "Our poll shows just what a difficult month it has been for the government, and for the Conservatives in particular.

"At this stage of a parliament, as much attention is paid to approval ratings as voting intentions, and while David Cameron is one of the Conservatives' greatest assets, dissatisfaction with him has reached its highest ever, and George Osborne has also dropped significantly.

"After having a month to sink in, public reaction to the Budget is poor, and other difficult stories such as the IMF and deportation may have had an impact."

Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,002 adults between 21-23 April.

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