Poll gives Labour seven-point lead
A new opinion poll has given Labour its largest lead over the Conservatives since David Cameron became leader of the opposition.
An ICM survey for the Sunday Telegraph puts prime minister Gordon Brown’s party on 40 per cent, seven points ahead of the Tories on 33 per cent. The Liberal Democrats were trailing on 19 per cent.
The poll will come as a significant boost to Mr Brown, who could reconsider the party’s decision not to call an election soon after Tony Blair stepped down as prime minister.
Mr Brown noted yesterday that he would welcome more “moderate Conservatives” to join Tory MP Quentin Davies in defecting to Labour.
In a speech at the Labour party policy forum, Mr Brown outlined his party’s general policy overview and took a swipe at previous Tory policies.
The Telegraph poll signals the first time Labour has enjoyed a seven-point lead over the Conservatives since September 2005.
It also shows that young voters are supporting Labour, with the Tories trailing Mr Brown’s party by 23 per cent in the age group 18 to 24.
The Conservatives’ latest headline-grabbing policy idea – tax breaks for married couples – seemed to divide those surveyed.
Although 70 per cent said it was better for parents to be married, only 49 per cent backed the Tory plan while 44 per cent opposed it.
The ICM poll surveyed 1,003 adults between July 11th and July 13th.
