A poll conducted by the PRCA has revealed that the public affairs industry believes the Tories emerged significantly better off after the 2014 Budget. The poll canvassed the opinion of members of the PRCA’s Public Affairs Group, from all political backgrounds.
Over three-quarters (79%) of those involved thought that George Osborne’s fifth Budget as Chancellor reflected positively on the Conservative party politically. This compared to 63% who deemed that Ed Miliband’s response to Osborne’s announcements reflected poorly on the Labour party.
The insight also revealed which measures Lobbyists believed would be the most politically successful for the Tories. 64% voted for the increase in the amount that can be saved in ISAs, closely followed by further increases in the personal allowance (58%). Changes to duties, including abolishing the planned rise in fuel duty, the cut in beer duty and the halving of Bingo duty, was also popular.
However, the measures that were expected to be least successful politically for the party included the doubling of funding for export finance (58%); and plans for the first garden city for years in Ebbsfleet (42%).
Alex Deane MPRCA, Head of Public Affairs at Weber Shandwick, said: “A solid performance from the Government. Osborne needed to put up a bulletproof Budget, and I think that most will think that he succeeded.”
Nick Williams MPRCA, Fleishman Hillard Senior VP & Partner, Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, said: "A Conservative Party Budget at the expense of the Lib Dems. The parting of the ways is actively underway."