News

Tories edge ahead in opinion poll

THE Tories have opened up a two-point advantage over Labour as support for Ukip slides, according to a poll. Research by ComRes for the Daily Mail found the Conservatives were up three over the past month to 34 per cent.

Ed Miliband's party had increased its support by two points on 32 per cent, but Ukip was down four on 13 per cent - its lowest vote share since April last year. The Greens had gained a point to move level with the Liberal Democrats on 8 per cent.

The research also suggested that a third of Labour voters were backing the party despite believing that Mr Miliband would make a bad prime minister.

Another poll, by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, similarly indicated Ukip's support was flagging and down to 11 per cent.

But it found a very different picture between the two main parties, putting Labour four points ahead on 36 per cent.

The figure is the party's highest rating since last July and an increase of 5 per cent on last week.

* ComRes interviewed 1,004 adults by telephone between February 20 and 23. Data was weighted to represent all adults in Britain, and by past vote recall. Lord Ashcroft polling interviewed 1,000 adults by telephone between February 20 and 22. The results have been weighted to be representative of all adults in Britain.