UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has extended his lead over opposition Labour Part leader Jeremy Corbyn as he strengthens the ruling Conservatives’ grip on working-class voters ahead of the December 12 general election, a new poll has revealed.
This week’s Deltapoll survey for The Mail on Sunday gave the Conservatives a 15-point lead, up from 12 points last week, with the ruling party on 45 per cent and Labour on 30 per cent.
Johnson now will need to pick up a string of Labour-held seats in northern working-class areas if he is to return to Downing Street with a healthy majority.
The poll suggested that his clear pro-Brexit policy, unlike Corbyn’s contortions on the issue, were winning him support in the Leave-backing areas.
A lweek on the campaign train for the Prime Minister has helped his net approval score move back into positive territory, at plus 4 - a thumping 47 points higher than Corbyn.
But if the Labour leader puts in an unexpectedly strong performance during the televised Election debates, starting with his head- to-head showdown with Johnson on ITV on Tuesday night, it could give him a boost.
Meanwhile, the revolt by Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party candidates - many of whom pulled out of contests rather than risk splitting the Conservative vote in key marginals - has left his party marooned on 6 per cent, according to the poll.