No matter how many issues pollsters ask about, around three-quarters of Labour voters nominate their own party as having the best policies. But Labour supporters show only low levels of support for policies where the party line is distinctly different from their instincts or where the policy is confused or badly communicated. We can compare the apparent clarity of William Hague's message with the confused smoke signals from Labour's high command. For as long as the government seems confused, so will Labour supporters. But at any time when the perceived economic fortunes of euroland improved, a more forceful message from the top would encourage more Labour supporters to fall into line.
Research also suggests that people in the lower social classes are most hostile to the euro.
They do not like taking risks, which is in part a reflection of their personal financial circumstances. A risky gamble with a new-fangled currency is, for the moment, unlikely to appeal. But in time the euro will strengthen along with the perceived strength of euroland economies. And people will start to gain personal experience of euro notes and coins on trips across the Channel. The pound will at some point start to weaken relative to the euro.