Miliband and Cameron

Tories pull ahead of Labour in poll – 35 to 33 percent respectively

Published: 08:27, February 22, 2015

The Opinium Poll, a polling company, in a survey carried out for the Observer, shows the Conservatives pulling ahead of Labour, with 35% and 33% support respectively. Prime Minister David Cameron (Conservative) will be pleased as the general election of May 7th approaches.

The Tories have gained two points while Labour is down two. The poll also reported that 15% of respondents would vote for UKIP, 7% for the Greens, and 6% for the Liberal Democrats.

According to the pollsters, this is the first time the Tories (Conservatives) have overtaken opposition party Labour since March 2012 in that polling series.

Tories Labour poll

For the first time since early 2012, the Tories have overtaken labour. (Image: Opinium)

A Guardian/ICM poll published on February 20th showed Labour at 33% and the Tories at 30%. However, the Conservatives had gained two percentage points while Labour stood still, i.e. Labour’s lead was slipping.

Experts say this year’s general election is becoming one of the most unpredictable in modern British history. Since the beginning of 2015, Labour has had a narrow lead in most polls.

Party Leaders’ approval ratings

David Cameron has a net approval rating (in favour minus those who dislike him) of 0%, his highest score since December 2011.

Miliband and Cameron

Voters appear to be more impressed by Cameron’s (right) leadership qualities than Miliband’s.

Ed Miliband trails with a net approval rating of (minus) -28%, Nick Clegg’s stood at -44%.

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader, with a net approval rating of -24%, beat both the Labour and Lib-Dem leaders.

Labour says it will appoint Lord Prescott, who was Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, as Miliband’s special advisor with responsibility for climate change. Labour is worried that UKIP may grab some of their votes in the North of England, and possibly Green votes too.

Christian Nordqvist Avatar

Other News

Antidepressant study finds a sensitive drug target in fish

Sep 10, 2026

ECB raises deposit rate to 2.50% as energy costs lift inflation

Sep 10, 2026

Adobe revenue rises 13% as its AI subscription business expands

Sep 10, 2026

EU cyber-reporting rules start September 11: what manufacturers must report

Sep 10, 2026

Malaysia’s palm oil stocks rise 7.5% as August exports fall

Sep 10, 2026

TSMC’s August revenue jumps 53.3% as chip sales accelerate

Sep 10, 2026

Bank of Japan’s Masu warns inflation could force faster rate hikes

Sep 10, 2026

UK considers wider audit exemptions in company reporting overhaul

Sep 9, 2026

How billing problems can leave businesses waiting for their money

Sep 9, 2026

China’s export surge widens its trade surplus despite faster import growth

Sep 9, 2026

FANUC and Palladyne target the cost of adapting factory robots

Sep 8, 2026

Study links conflicting AI advice to lower confidence in decisions

Sep 8, 2026

Greek pilot tests smarter energy controls in commercial buildings

Sep 8, 2026

OECD finds tax reforms favor investment while budget pressures grow

Sep 8, 2026

IQE revenue rises 43% as AI demand boosts semiconductor materials

Sep 7, 2026

German industrial production falls as car output drops sharply

Sep 7, 2026

Eurozone growth picks up, but employment barely rises

Sep 7, 2026

Why businesses replace equipment that still works

Sep 7, 2026

What happens to a product after a customer returns it?

Sep 7, 2026

Factories weigh the cost of recycled water against supply risks

Sep 7, 2026