Political Poll for The Independent

Labour has opened up an eight-point lead over the Conservatives, according to a ComRes survey for The Independent.

It shows Labour on 42 per cent (up three points since the most recent ComRes poll for The Independent on Sunday published on December 19), the Conservatives on 34 per cent (down three), the Liberal Democrats on 12 per cent (up one point) and other parties 12 per cent (down one).

This is the biggest Labour lead, and the Tories’ lowest share of the vote, in any poll since last May’s general election and the biggest Labour lead since ComRes began polling for The Independent in 2006. The figures would give Labour an overall majority of 102 if repeated at the next election.

People appear to be cooling towards the Coalition. Asked whether Britain is better off with a coalition government rather than a single party with an overall majority, 58 per cent disagree and 32 per cent agree.

However, Labour has not yet won the key battle on the economy. Only 36 per cent of people agree that Labour would manage the economy better than the Coalition Government, while 54 per cent disagree.

Only 36 per cent agree that Ed Miliband is proving a good leader of the Labour Party, while 42 per cent disagree. Meanwhile, 37 per cent agree that Nick Clegg is proving a good Deputy Prime Minister, while 52 per cent disagree.

ComRes telephoned a random sample of 1,000 GB adults between January 7-9, 2011. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults and by past vote. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.