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.
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.
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.
