They’re not useful for predicting the next parliament - and even very close to elections aren’t particularly good at that either. But can be used to compare periods in a parliamentary term to see how one government is performing compared to others etc.
Eg maybe the better thought from the journos isn’t “labour could form govt” but after 6 months do most governments go up, or down in polling; and what does it say if this poll shows a divergence or continuation of that trend etc.
They’re not useful for predicting the next parliament - and even very close to elections aren’t particularly good at that either. But can be used to compare periods in a parliamentary term to see how one government is performing compared to others etc.
Eg maybe the better thought from the journos isn’t “labour could form govt” but after 6 months do most governments go up, or down in polling; and what does it say if this poll shows a divergence or continuation of that trend etc.