Proof polls should be taken with a pinch of salt

Yesterday’s New Hampshire primary served as proof that you can prove anything with opinion polls, but that you should be wary of trusting them.

For, going into the New Hampshire vote, Barack Obama commanded a rather convincing lead in the opinion polls – and commentators (including Iain Dale) were writing Hillary Clinton off by a wide margin.

However, something truly spectacular happened in New Hampshire, and Clinton (who is still my preferred candidate for the Democrats) won the primary and was given an overall 3 points lead over Obama. John McCain (my preferred Republican) is 5 points ahead in the Republican race.

Of course there are still many states to go, and victory for either candidate is by no means certain. I just hope Brown and Cameron sit up and take note – polls are indicative, but by no means definitive.