Meet Alyessa. Vox-popped in Birmingham by the BBC this morning, she revealed why she’s voting Labour:

“Because Labour are the party that help people on benefits.”

Despite some vague tough talk from Rachel Reeves, Labour opposed every single one of IDS’s reforms and their client supporters are grateful. It’s the dirty little secret that the Labour Party refuse to accept: Benefit reform is hugely popular.

Polling by Ipsos Mori found that:

• 84% either agree or tend to agree with stricter work-capability tests.
• 78% agree with the idea that benefits should be docked if people turn down work
• 62% support benefits being capped “if people choose to have more children”.
• 57% back capping housing benefits
• There is also more support than opposition for the Spare Room Subsidy reform.

Being the ‘party that help people on benefits’ may soothe your base, but the public don’t like it…