Tories receive new ‘Boris Bounce’ from Prime Minister as the party extends its poll lead over Labour to TEN points but support among women stalls
- The Tories were up seven points to 32 per cent in a poll by YouGov for the Times
- Labour were up three on 22 per cent, with the Lib Dems trailing on 19 per cent
- Male support for the PM rose 12 per cent but by just one per cent among women
The Tories surged into a 10-point lead over Labour in the polls today in another sign of the ‘Boris Bounce’ reviving its fortunes.
But in a possible sign of the divisive nature of new Prime Minister Boris Johnson the increase was caused mainly by an increase in support from men.
The Tories were up seven points to 32 per cent in a poll by YouGov for the Times today. Labour were up three points on 22 per cent, with the Lib Dems trailing on 19 per cent under new leader Jo Swinson.
Analysis of the result showed that male support for the Prime Minister rose from 23 per cent to 35 per cent, while rising just one per cent to 29 per cent among women.
It came after Labour attempts to portray thrice-married Mr Johnson as an English equivalent of Donald Trump.
Mr Johnson (second right) in Downing Street today after returning from a visit to Northern Ireland to discuss Brexit
Today’s poll builds on an exclusive Mail on Sunday poll at the weekend which found replacing Theresa May had boosted the Tories by 10 points and given them a five-point lead over Labour.
But the pressure on Mr Johnson to call a snap General Election during his ‘honeymoon’ period will be increased by that survey’s finding that if Labour ditches Jeremy Corbyn as leader, the Tories would trail by six points.
The Deltapoll survey put the Tories on 30 per cent, up from 20 per cent in an equivalent poll at the start of the summer, when Labour had a six-point lead.
The rise corresponds to a 10-point fall for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, whose support for a No-Deal Brexit has been matched by Mr Johnson.
Johnson faces crashing down to earth tomorrow with his first electoral setback since becoming Prime Minister as the Tories look set to lose a key Westminster seat.
The Conservatives go into the Brecon by-election knowing the odds are against them retaining the seat in a vote called after the conviction of MP Chris Davies for electoral fraud.
Mr Davies is standing for the Tories despite his offences, with the Liberal Democrats widely expected to overturn the Conservatives’ 8,000 majority from 2017.
In what is set to double as a proving ground for Brexit and the new Prime Minister’s approach the Brexit Party is setting its sights on piping Mr Johnson’s party to second place.
The results of the poll weren’t all good news for Mr Johnson who is a Jeremy Corbyn resignation away from being overtaken by Labour
Mr Davies, 51, was picked by local Tory members despite his conviction and a subsequent recall petition signed by 20 per cent of voters demanding he be ejected from the seat.
Mr Johnson made a fleeting visit to Brecon yesterday evening, attending the offices of the BVG Group with Mr Davies.
Losing Brecon would reduce the Tories’ Commons majority to just one seat.