Tories make inroads into Labour lead
Labour’s lead has been shortened to just two percentage points, according to a new poll.
The Mori poll for The Financial Times places Labour on 39 per cent, with the Conservatives on 37 per cent. The Liberal Democrats are on 18 per cent.
The result is consistent with the findings of the poll conducted for the Guardian on Tuesday that saw Labour’s lead reeled in by the Tories to within three percentage points.
The FT poll gives Michael Howard’s party its highest rating since July 2003, when Iain Duncan Smith was leader.
Labour had a lead of 10 percentage points in October of last year.
The poll indicates a 3.7 per cent swing from Labour to the Tories since the last election in 2001.
Should the poll reflect results at the next election, Labour’s 159-majority in the Commons could be cut to 96.
Nearly a quarter of voters said immigration and asylum were the single most important issues, ahead of health, Iraq and defence.
Mori forecasts turnout at the next election, expected in May, will be down on the one in 2001.
It asked 1,948 adults between February 17 and 21.
