Tory lead over Labour slips
The Conservatives’ lead over Labour in the polls has fallen this month, although David Cameron still has the edge on prime minister in waiting Gordon Brown.
A new Populus poll for The Times finds the Tories on 34 per cent, down two points on last month after remaining steady since the summer, and Labour on 33 per cent.
The Liberal Democrats have lost one point, to 18 per cent, and the smaller parties appear to be benefiting the most, with the Greens now on four per cent of the vote and the UK Independence party (Ukip) on two per cent.
The news will only fuel concerns that Mr Cameron’s approach to Conservatism is alienating traditional Tory supporters. Last week, William Hague’s former constituency chairman, Toby Horton, defected to Ukip saying he had had enough.
Ukip leader Nigel Farage claimed recently that he is in secret talks with 24 Tory activists, about defecting. A recent survey for the Conservativehome website also found 43 per cent of Tories identify with Ukip as the party closest to their views, after their own.
However, Conservative party officials have dismissed these concerns, saying Ukip do not offer a credible alternative to Labour as a party of government.
And today’s poll of 1,500 people, taken over the weekend, shows Mr Cameron continues to have the edge over Mr Brown, who is expected to take over from Tony Blair as prime minister by next summer.
The Witney MP has 39 per cent of popular support, compared the chancellor’s 32 per cent. The gap is widening – last month, Mr Cameron was on 38 per cent and Mr Brown on 34 per cent of support.
Mr Brown’s situation may not be helped by Mr Blair’s failure to back him as his successor – during his monthly press conference today, the prime minister again refused to name the chancellor and even refused to list any of his achievements.
