Top people impressed by Blair

BRITAIN'S opinion-formers think Tony Blair would make a better prime minister than any of his rivals in the three main parties, according to a survey for the Independent. John Major not only lags well behind Mr Blair; he also trails Michael Heseltine and Kenneth Clarke by big margins, writes Peter Kellner.

The survey was conducted by Opinion Leader Research among a panel of 100 industrialists, financiers, senior civil servants, media executives, politicians and trade union leaders. OLR's panel is designed to reflect the mood of people who wield the greatest influence in Britain today.

The table shows the answers to the main question asked last week: whether each of the politicians has the qualities of a good prime minister. Thirty-nine per cent of the panel think well of Mr Blair, marking him at least seven out of ten. Only 13 per cent give him three marks or fewer. Assuming he wins Labour's leadership on Thursday, he will start his new job with a surprising level of support from a part of society not considered pro-Labour.

Mr Blair also leads the field when each of the politicians is assessed on ability 'to create a better social environment'. As many as 47 per cent mark him at least 7 out of 10. On this measure, Mr Prescott (22 per cent) jumps to second place, just ahead of Mr Ashdown (21) and Mrs Beckett (16). Mr Heseltine (15 per cent) is the highest-rated Tory, outstripping Mr Major (11), whose performance as Prime Minister is clearly seen to have fallen well short of his promise to create a nation 'at ease with itself'.

Fifty-three per cent think Mr Blair will be Prime Minister in 2000. Eleven per cent expect to see Mr Clarke atop the greasy pole, while 9 per cent think Mr Portillo will have arrived in Downing Street. Only 5 per cent expect Mr Major still to be there.

----------------------------------------------------------------- POLITICAL LEADERS ----------------------------------------------------------------- Marks out of 10 for having 'personal qualities to make a good prime minister' % saying % saying 7-10 1-3 Tony Blair 39 13 Michael Heseltine 31 15 Kenneth Clarke 27 18 John Major 15 43 Paddy Ashdown 14 28 Margaret Beckett 8 48 Michael Portillo 6 52 John Prescott 4 40 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Opinion Leader Research -----------------------------------------------------------------

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