MPs fail to back race for Olympics

Three-quarters of MPs lack confidence that London's bid for the 2012 Olympics will succeed, according to an exclusive poll carried out for The Independent on Sunday.

Three-quarters of MPs lack confidence that London's bid for the 2012 Olympics will succeed, according to an exclusive poll carried out for The Independent on Sunday.

A survey of 204 MPs carried out by CommunicateResearch found that 72 per cent were "not particularly confident" or "not at all confident" that London will win. Even among Labour MPs, despite the Government's support for the bid, 62 per cent were not confident and only 29 per cent were "fairly confident". Not one MP said he or she was "very confident" that London will succeed.

The survey is a setback for the London bid, which needs to persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it has widespread public support. An evaluation commission is to visit London on behalf of the IOC in February, and the IOC will decide in July. The bid's organisers are exhorting Londoners to "back the bid", using space on Tubes and buses worth £8m donated by Transport for London.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, has admitted that "public support is critical". He said: "We have to demonstrate that the people of the UK are behind this bid and will be enthusiastic supporters of a Games in 2012."

MPs seem to share the bookmakers' assessment that puts London far behind Paris.

CommunicateResearch surveyed 105 Labour, 63 Conservative and 36 other MPs, between 29 October and 19 November 2004. Data was weighted to reflect the party composition of the Commons.