Anyone who is quite happy to have more tax taken from them by this government, must be classed as a super sucker ripe to be fleeced.

SRB, Abergele, UK

I can't believe it. I left the UK six years ago partly because of high taxes. How on earth, when it's such a small country and services are so lousy and underfunded, can the tax bill for the average citizen be so high compared with the rest of the world? The answer, it's been skimmed off the top by crooked politicians and rampant inefficiency and over-charging for services.

Fred, Orlando, FL, USA

These very odd people have not read the new car tax levels that apply to them----I have!, nor have they seen the hidden national insurance increases which Darling failed to mention. Will they be surprised when they look at their wages after April's tax impact too! When you look at headlines in the Times which often follow Labour handouts, this article is no surprise at all.
The problem is people open their mouths without checking the real facts. Reading Labour spin in even respectable papers does noone any favours. I strongly recommend that all journalist read the real peoples bloggs in at least 3 online newspapers ( I do)----then they would get the real truth.

Clive Kitchener, Pulborough, UK

The poll sample is small and taken over the phone within hours of the end of the Budget Speech. Its margins of error are therefore a lot larger than usual. The responses also depend on how the questions were put and how much people knew that evening about the the real proposals. Historically, reactions to budgets become firm after about 3-4 days of coverage when people have assessed and discussedthe winner and losers.

The questions may well have been leading. For example, "Should large gas guzzling cars be taxed more than smaller efficient cars?" Many people would say yes. Only later does it become clear that a Ford Focus, for example is in line for a tax increase not just a BMW 7-series.

Equally, if the polling company ask "Should taxes on beer increase by 4p to pay more to lift children out of poverty?" then again, most people will say yes.

The comments made here confirm my impression from the people I know that people have little faith in the Government.

Tim, Leeds, United Kingdom

An exclusive Times poll? " I don't believe it" as someone once
famously said. Who are these people? certainly not anyone
of my acquaintance because everyone I know is against it.
The chancellor could have made an exception on draught beer sold in pubs because it is monitored by the landlord, but this isn't about saving kids from drink or green issues it is taxation without representation.

Colin Cooper, Beverley, Yorkshire

Are you kidding me, who did they poll? labour MP's?

Paul, Andover,

Is this poll really representative of society's opinions? I'm terrified by the thought that people actually support the way this government is acting!

I do wish that people would wake up to what's happening in this country. This government is so blatently sleazy and lacking in an form of good moral or social judgement. Clearly all of our lives are increasingly being controlled and limited by the state that we are all being forced to bow down to and worship. I remember when we used to have some form of "freedom" and choice. What is happening to democracy in this country? Why don't people care about the state of the nation and it's principals? Why don't people seem to care about anything anymore?!!

Ryan Miller, Bournemouth, UK

It's a poll of fewer than 600 people, taken on the evening of the budget, before the details in the printed version but not in the speech could have been reported by the media. Take another poll with a bigger sample size, once people have seen the difference in their April pay packets, and we might believe it.

Nick, London,

Since Labour are using our taxes to employ 25% of the working population, and are using our taxes to payroll millions more who do not work, it is not suprising that many more people still support Labour than would be expected.

Anyone employed by the government should only have half a vote, and anyone unemployed for longer than a few months should have no vote at all unless they are registered and active on some sort of real community service. Members of the Armed Forces should get 2 votes.

Otherwise democracy in this country will become increasingly like the Eurovision Song Contest with blocks of dependents voting for the party that gives them most.

Peter, Maidstone,

Well, it really is breathtaking that people have resigned themselves to higher taxes for detereorating public services. How much tax do we have to pay, i seem to be working harder but going backwards. Well I've just sold the house and will be leaving these shores for good. I'm afraid the UKplc has well and truly been stuffed by Labour, good luck to all who sail in her.

Dan, Bolton,

brian from b icester sums it up.

Albert Hall, kettering,

For the next poll could we have an IQ test result for everyone involved?
These polls are less than useless , they are weighted for the poll result required.
A bit like a referendum when the original result is not desired, hold another until the public gets the result right! Or ,they get so fed up they don't bother to vote, and it can be passed with a meagre turn out! Or , dictate that those that did'nt vote had the preference you wanted and will be counted as a yes.
Democracy RIP.

Disgruntled Dorothy, Glasgow, Scotland

Voters have applauded an increase in tax.........yeah, right.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

I have the same cynical view. One popular line they use is "the people want it or have requested it". Do we? I know what we want, that is rid of this nest parasites and vipers, Thats what the "people want or have requested it".

Mark, Yorkshire,

I am afraid I do not believe these polls. Everytime Labour does something which is unpopular they suddenly increase popularity in an opinion poll. Spooky!!

David, London , United Kingdom

Post April the starting rate of 10% tax on the income band of £0 - £2,230 will be replaced by the new basic rate of 20% on £0 - £34,600: i suggest that the gulf between the rich and poor will grow regardless of what labour (sic) says.

Philip McNeill, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Was this poll taken before or after it was found out that gas guzzlers tax was a smoke screen for shafting 9 out of every 10 motorists with another stealth tax hike.This has got someone's fingerprints all over it none of which belong to Darling.

philip, Ipswich,

i dont like labour but i really dislike the possibility of a bunch of spoilt second rate tory old etonians running the government. i am certain that the poor the elderly and the unemployed will hardly be a priority.

nick, london,

Despite recurring disasters in everything this government touches, the public are still prepared to vote for them. They still see the Opposition as "Old Tory" which couldn't be further from the truth. Labour have lied, cheated and have been the sleaziest government I can remember with their MPs actually stealing from the public.They have "spun" their way through the last 10 years which is not surprising with their appalling lack of talent.The only thing they are good at is Failure. With the results of the polls shown I am rapidly reaching the conclusion that either the public just don't care or the old saying that people get the governments they deserve is true

Brian Wylie, Bicester, England

Labours propaganda machine is obviously still working.......wise up people!!

Sedgwick Morrison, London, UK