Tory poll backlash over dementia tax
Setback as policy sees lead drop f ive points
THERESA May’s hopes of an Election landslide hit a setback last night when a poll showed strong opposition to her plan to make more elderly people pay for care.
A Survation poll for The Mail on Sunday showed the Conservative lead over Labour has fallen to 12 per cent, a five point drop in a week. It follows the release of last week’s Tory manifesto which included social care reforms for England and Wales branded a ‘Dementia Tax’ by critics.
The proposals would mean that tens of thousands of people who receive care at home could face costly bills as – for the first time – the value of a person’s home will be included in their assets, with only the last £100,000 protected.
There will be no ‘dementia tax’ north of the Border, where the Scottish Government has maintained a policy of free personal care, and there are no plans to means test winter fuel payments either.
But according to the poll, the Conservatives are now on 46 per cent, Labour on 34 and the Lib Dems on eight. Just seven days ago, the average Tory poll lead was 17.
The Survation poll indicates 47 per cent oppose Mrs May’s social care funding plans, with 28 per cent in favour. Significantly, 28 per cent say the proposals have made them less likely to vote Tory. More than half say were more worried about getting older, caring for elderly relatives, owning a house and securing their children’s future.
But the poll also offers a series of boosts for the Prime Minister – and blows to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mrs May’s manifesto move away from Margaret Thatcherstyle policies is very well received and many find her as supportive of the working class as Mr Corbyn.
Even more embarrassing for Mr Corbyn, four out of ten non-Labour voters who are attracted to some of his policies, such as renationalising the railways, say they could not vote for them because he was either incapable of making them work or they were impractical.
Even before last night’s poll, Tory chiefs were privately braced for controversy over the social care changes. Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, a GP, said: ‘It comes as a huge shock to many to discover that if they have assets above £23,250 they are liable for all the costs of residential care.
‘The sting in the tail is that the proposals bring property assets into the means test for those needing care at home, and wealthier
‘It comes as a huge shock to many’
pensioners will lose winter fuel payments.’
Fellow Tory MP Bob Blackman said: ‘I support the policy but there needs to be a limit on how much any individual or family is required to pay.’
There were reports the proposal was inserted into the manifesto at the last minute by Mrs May’s No10 chief of staff Nick Timothy. The decision by Mr Timothy, who has argued for extra taxes on inheritance, is said to have been opposed by John Godfrey, the head of the No10 policy unit.
But the proposal was defended by Treasury Chief Secretary David Gauke, who said: ‘It’s easy for politicians to stand up and deliver a long list of “free this, free that”. That’s not what Theresa May is doing. There are tough choices on issues like social care and winter fuel. It is bold, but it’s right.’
Mrs May’s decision not to flinch from tough decisions in her manifesto is vindicated by a more favourable response to other proposals. Fears that abandoning David Cameron’s vow not to raise income tax or national insurance would provoke uproar have proved unfounded: 38 per cent support it with 39 per cent against. Scrapping winter fuel handouts for better-off OAPs south of the Border is backed by nearly half. Her threat to walk away with no deal if talks in Brussels break down is backed by 45 per cent with 33 against.
Survation interviewed 1,017 people for the poll online on Friday and yesterday.