Asda toasts a Labour victory
Election ale sales predict Blair back in Downing Street
On the last day of campaigning in the UK General Election, Asda’s thoroughly scientific poll based on sales of election beer is signalling re-election for Tony Blair.
Based on sales of Asda’s election ales range, Labour is maintaining an eight pint lead over the Conservatives at 40 per cent to 32 per cent, but the poll is also showing a sudden spurt from the Lib Dems.
Charles Kennedy’s Lib Dem Lift Off ale is doing exactly what it says on the label, with a late jump in the polls to 28 per cent, only four pints behind the Conservatives. However in Scotland and Wales the picture is very different with Independence Ales gaining the largest ‘share of the throat’.
In Wales Plaid Cymru is riding high on 41 per cent, with Labour in second place on 27 per cent, and the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are on 17 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
Scottish shoppers have swung even further behind the SNP, now on 45 per cent compared to Labour on 25 per cent and the Conservatives and Lib Dems on 19 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.
Ged Futter, Asda beer buyer, said: “When you look at key marginal seats such as Shipley, you can really see the impact of high profile local campaigning. Following a visit from Tony Blair himself, Labour has increased its share of the vote to a staggering 63 per cent, with the Lib Dems and Conservatives way back on 23 per cent each.
“With only hours left to go, shoppers nationwide still have a chance to register their vote in our stores. But unlike the general election, our polling booths (checkouts) stay open until 11 o’clock at night.”
