Labour lead slashed to just five points.

Labour lead slashed to just five points

Labour lead slashed to just five points

Labour's lead over the Conservatives has been cut down to just five points, according to a new poll.

The ICM/Guardian findings will make worrying reading for Ed Miliband, who is used to a double-digit lead in most surveys and a solid eight-point lead in previous ICM polls.

The poll result is in line with a Sunday Times/You Gov survey this weekend which saw a significant rise in David Cameron's personal ratings, as he continued to recover from his low-point last May.

The ICM poll put Labour down two points on 38%, the Conservatives up one on 33% and the Lib Dems up two on 15%.

Interestingly, the Tory recovery is dependent on men. Women voters seem to be departing the coalition in droves. If only women voted, Labour would be enjoying a 16-point lead.

The reduction in the Labour lead could be due to the prominence of foreign affairs on the front pages – from Cameron's EU speech to the hostage crisis in Algeria.

However, this weekend's You Gov poll painted a confusing picture on Europe.

When asked which party they trust most "to look after Britain's interests in Europe" people selected Labour over the Tories by 23% to 20%, but when asked which individual they trusted most to negotiate with Europe, Cameron trounced Miliband by 26% to 18%.

The ICM survey had better news for Labour on benefits, where the two main parties have created strict election dividing lines.

Just 36% agreed with the government's decision to cap benefit rises at one per cent, while 55% went with Labour and said the move was "unfair".