‘Swinson surge’ leaves Lib Dems one point from Labour in polls

Jeremy Corbyn was hit by a “Swinson surge” as an exclusive poll saw the Liberal Democrats come within a point of Labour.

The two parties are effectively level-pegging in the latest Ipsos MORI monitor, with Labour unchanged on 24 per cent and the centre party up three to 23.

The Conservatives are in a clear lead but at only 33 per cent (down one), while Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is on 10 (up one).

Ms Swinson’s impact is also revealed in her satisfaction scores, which show a seven-point rise in those who are happy with the way she does her job, to 35 per cent, and a 12-point rise in those who are dissatisfied with her, to 40 per cent — the least-negative score of all the party leaders.

It comes as Tony Blair predicted in today’s Standard interview that the Lib Dems will be “resurgent” after Ms Swinson adopted a pledge to cancel Brexit.

He said: “If I was the two main parties at the moment, I would worry.”

Commenting on the findings, Keiran Pedley, research director at Ipsos MORI, said: “Jo Swinson appears to be making her mark as Lib Dem leader.

"Although her strong anti-Brexit stance will not appeal to everyone, reflected in her net satisfaction scores having actually fallen this month, the Lib Dems now sit just a point behind Labour in headline voting intention figures.

“The key question, in such volatile political times, is will the party be able to sustain such levels of support, or even improve upon them, during a General Election campaign.”

Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,006 adults aged across GB by telephone. Details at: ipsos-MORI.com

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