Tories slip in latest N.B. poll

The Progressive Conservative governments post-election honeymoon may be starting to fade as support for the party and its policies dropped, according to the latest Corporate Research Associates poll.

The Progressive Conservatives saw their support drop to 41 per centin August, down from56 per cent in May. It had been as high as61 per cent in November, following the election campaign that saw Premier David Alward win a majority government.

The CRA quarterly political poll surveyed 400 voters between Aug. 15 and 31. The polls margin of error is 4.9 per cent, 95 times out of 100.

While the Tories saw their massive lead start to erode, they are still well ahead of theirpolitical rivals.

The Liberals, who are still in search of a full-time leader, saw their support level rise to 34 per cent from 20 per cent.

The NDPs movement was within the polls margin of error. The NDP saw its support edge up slightly to 23 per cent from 20 per cent.

The latest CRA poll is also showing a softening of support for the Progressive Conservative governments policies.

The survey shows 53 per cent of those surveyed are either mostly or completely satisfied with the performance of the Alward government down from 68 per cent in May.

Now, 32 per cent of respondents are mostly or completely dissatisfied with its performance, up from 19 per cent in the last poll.

The Alward government has faced protestsover shale gas explorationas well as public concern overcuts to funding for district education councils.

Alward's personal popularity has also dipped in the most recent political poll.

While he is still the most preferred pick for premier, Alward saw his lead drop to 32 per cent down from 39 per cent in May. The next Liberal leader saw its support rise to 21 per cent from 14 per cent.

NDP Leader Dominic Cardy's support held steady at 14 per cent.

Green Party Leader Jack MacDougall was picked by two per cent of respondents as the best premier followed by People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin at one per cent.