The polling picture for Rishi Sunak and the Tories “continues to look bleak”, a polling expert said after a new Savanta survey found Labour’s lead had increased by five points.
The poll, conducted between Jan 26-28, put Labour on 46 per cent of the vote and the Tories on 27 per cent of the vote, a lead of 19 points.
Labour were up by three points and the Conservatives were down by two when compared to the company’s previous survey conducted between Jan 19-21 when the former had a 14 point lead.
Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said: “The polling picture continues to look bleak for Rishi Sunak, and with repeated rumours about a leadership challenge, the Conservative Party could perhaps be forgiven for thinking that a change of leader could provide the polling boost they need.
“Sunak, though, will hope to weather the storm, and will point to an early Budget in March as an opportunity to unfurl some popular ‘retail’ policies that could sway those lost voters back to the Conservatives.
“However, with two by-elections on the horizon that are likely losses, pressure will continue to mount on Sunak, and keeping his party at bay rather than winning over voters may soon become his primary focus.”