DATA: Labour extends lead in Westminster, polls suggest

The Labour Party has extended its lead in Westminster voting intention surveys, according to data from YouGov and The Times.

Data shows the Opposition party has led the Conservatives in opinion polls throughout 2023, but suffered a dip in support in the poll dated 22-23 November.

As Labour recovers from a three-point drop in November, the popularity of the Conservatives is in decline.

 Between the polls on 22-23 November and 6-7 December, the Conservative Party lost three points on the poll.

 The Liberal Democrats, the third largest British Party, have had stable support in these polls, remaining at around 10 per cent between September and December.

 The most recent Westminster voting intention poll conducted by YouGov in collaboration with The Times also found that 57 per cent of people who voted Conservative in 2019 intend to vote for the party in the next election.

 The poll revealed that 12 per cent of people who voted Conservative in 2019 now intend to vote Labour.

 UK politics and public opinion researcher Sophie Stowers explained to LabourList that an “anti-Tory sentiment” is motivating support for Labour.

 She said: “Much of the success is down to the unpopularity of their rivals. Numerous scandals – from partygate to the mini-budget to a series of parliamentary resignations over misconduct – have led to a large drop in support for the Conservatives over the last 18 months.”

 Stowers said that while Labour leads in the polls, many voters are unconvinced by Labour’s proposed policies on the economy and the NHS.

 She said: “Voters simply think they would do a better job than the current government.”