Tories want British PM to ditch coalition poll

Most Conservative Party members want Prime Minister David Cameron to overrule his deputy Nick Clegg to ensure a tougher line on immigration, Europe and tax cuts, according to a poll done for the Independent newspaper.

The survey of almost 1400 Tory members on the eve of the party conference showed 61 per cent think the Liberal Democrats have too much influence and want their leader to fight harder for Tory policies on those issues.

Only 11 per cent think the Conservatives have the best deal from the Coalition; 28 per cent believe they've given much ground to Clegg's party, but say this doesn't matter if the Government fixes the economy.

The findings show grassroots concern that Cameron's making too many policy concessions. But Cameron allies fear the proposed shift to the right would revive voter fears that the Conservatives are the "nasty party".

The poll reveals strong hostility to extending the Coalition beyond the next election, a huge 91 per cent wanting to govern without the Lib Dems to enact more Tory policies on crime, immigration, human rights, Europe and tax.

There's also deep hostility among Tory activists to the Government's decision to boost spending on overseas aid to poor countries, despite imposing cuts in most other areas.

If the economy worsens, 68 per cent would cut benefits such as the winter fuel allowance for wealthier pensioners, and also back deeper cuts to the welfare budget.

But 59 per cent of Tories don't want Cameron to abandon his flagship pledge to raise the health budget each year.

A majority want cuts to be faster and deeper. While 41 per cent say Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's deficit-reduction plan is exactly right, 42 per cent want more spending cuts so taxes can be reduced to boost growth and another 10 per cent want bigger cuts to avoid tax rises.

Of Cabinet ministers, Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, was the most highly rated with 90 per cent satisfaction.

Education Secretary Michael Gove was second, up from seventh in the same poll last year.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, whose liberal sentencing reforms upset the grassroots, slumped from 14th to 24th spot and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley also dropped after a bruising year over National Health Service reforms. Nick Clegg fell from 12th place in the rankings to 19th.

- Independent