The Conservatives have a 14-point lead over Labour after Nigel Farage's decision to stand down Brexit Party candidates in seats the Tories are defending, according to a new YouGov poll for Sky News.

A YouGov survey taken yesterday and today puts the Tories on 42%, Labour on 28% and Lib Dems on 15%.

The poll was taken using a new method compared to previous voting intention polls by YouGov.

Respondents were shown only some of the names of candidates standing in their constituency, meaning that Brexit Party voters can no longer vote for the Brexit Party in the survey.

Candidates who have stood down as part of the "Remain alliance" between the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Greens have also been removed.


This polling method will be used by YouGov for the rest of the campaign.

By removing the Brexit Party option from voters without that option, just 4% now register support for the party, while the Greens are also on 4%, SNP on 3% and Plaid Cymru on 1%.

The poll records that almost all people who would have voted for the Brexit Party but are no longer able to - and have made up their mind - will transfer their vote to the Conservatives.

YouGov also asked people how they would vote under the old methodology, to allow a comparison between the two polling techniques.

This put the Tories on 39%, Labour 26%, Lib Dems on 16%, the Brexit Party on 9% and Green on 5%.

Overall, this suggests that when people are asked about the race in their individual constituency, Tories benefit from the Brexit Party vote in areas they are not standing while Labour benefits from tactical voting and enthusiasm for the local candidate.

YouGov also asked who would make the best prime minister between Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Jo Swinson.

Some 40% chose Mr Johnson, 16% selected Mr Corbyn and 14% said Ms Swinson. Some 31% were not sure or refused to say.

However, while 91% of Tory voters said that Mr Johnson would be their preference in Number 10, just 59% of Labour voters thought Mr Corbyn would be best in Downing Street.

YouGov interviewed 1,619 GB adults on Monday and Tuesday.

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