'Financial concerns' played significant role in Labour poll disaster - Harman » Bill payments » 24dash.com

Labour's performance at the polls was "very disappointing", the party's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, admitted today.

She said people's financial concerns played a significant role in the council elections.

"I think that we have got to really listen to what people were saying when they were expressing their views in the election yesterday," she told the BBC.

"We have got to reflect on it and listen to what people are saying - that is the whole point about having elections in our democracy."

Voters gave a clear message that they were worried about money, according to Ms Harman.

"People are concerned about their own financial situation," she said.

"In that respect these council elections have been different from other council elections really that have been taking place over the last 11 years in that people are concerned about rising food prices and the increase in fuel bills, and there is a worry about the financial instability.

"We've got to really recognise those financial concerns to make sure that people are protected from the economic problems that are out there."

Ms Harman added that Gordon Brown's decision to scrap the 10p rate of income tax was also a factor.

She said ministers had "taken steps to protect those groups of people who were going to lose out from the 10p tax rate change" but acknowledged that action should have been taken sooner.

"We should have acted earlier on the two groups particularly that weren't being compensated and were going to lose out and we have already acknowledged that," she said.

Ms Harman said the Government is "determined to listen" and to ensure that low unemployment levels are maintained and that the economy continues to grow.

She said Mr Brown is "absolutely" the right man to listen and to lead as Prime Minister.

"I think against a background of economic concerns really there is nobody with more experience and more commitment to take the country through," Ms Harman said.