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Boris Johnson and the Conservatives have surged to a huge 17-point lead at the start of the general election campaign, a major poll revealed today.

The Ipsos MORI survey shows the Tories up eight points since September to 41 per cent, while Labour is marooned on 24.

At the same time, the Prime Minister’s personal scores have leaped, including for his handling of Brexit, while those of Jeremy Corbyn have stayed at rock bottom.

The findings are excruciating for the Labour leader, suggesting that his fence-sitting on Brexit has turned into a disaster.

Eight in 10 people think he has done “a bad job” at handling Brexit, indicating that neither Leave nor Remain supporters admire his performance.

And just over half of Labour supporters think Mr Corbyn has handled Brexit badly.

Meanwhile more than eight in 10 Tory backers are pleased with the way Mr Johnson has handled Britain’s departure from the European Union.

Mr Corbyn kicked off Labour’s campaign with a rally in Battersea this morning where he vowed to “get Brexit sorted within six months” and hit out at “tax dodgers, dodgy landlords, bad bosses and big polluters”.

The Prime Minister embarked on a one-day dash taking in a school, a hospital and a police unit, promising to “get Brexit done and deliver on the people’s priorities, including the NHS, education and crime.”

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson launched her party’s slogan — Stop Brexit. Build a brighter future — and dispatched an ad-van to tour it around her rivals’ constituencies of Uxbridge and Islington.

Key findings revealed exclusively in today’s Evening Standard include:

Voters would divide as follows in an election today: Conservative, 41 per cent; Labour, 24 per cent; Liberal Democrats, 20 per cent; Brexit Party, seven per cent; Greens, three per cent. It is the highest Conservative share since June 2018 and the 17-point Tory lead is the biggest since April 2017.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson - In pictures 53 show all Prime Minister Boris Johnson - In pictures 1/53 Boris Johnson back in Downing Street today after recovering from Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn 2/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory Jeremy Selwyn 3/53 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson PA 4/53 Britain's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff AP 5/53 Boris Johnson delivering his first speech as PM from outside No10 AFP/Getty Images 6/53 New Prime Minister Boris Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds outside No10 Getty Images 7/53 Boris Johnson waves as he enters No10 Reuters 8/53 Boris Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds at No10 today as he assumes the post of Prime Minister Getty Images 9/53 Mr Johnson walks along Downing Street to address the nation Reuters 10/53 Boris Johnson arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen PA 11/53 Mr Johnson was overwhelmingly backed to lead the Conservative Party PA 12/53 Britain's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff AP 13/53 Boris vowed to serve the people as he took office AP 14/53 Britain's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson enters No10 AP 15/53 He is due to announce who will form his government later today AP 16/53 Boris Johnson waves to the crowd after being appointed Prime Minister Jeremy Selwyn 17/53 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace PA 18/53 Boris Johnson waves as he leaves Buckingham Palace PA 19/53 Boris Johnson is driven into Buckingham Palace Reuters 20/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with ambulance crews during a visit to Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, northeast England AFP/Getty Images 21/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) at 10 Downing Street EPA 22/53 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and HMP Leeds governor Steve Robson are shown a torso and body scanner by a member of prison staff during a visit to Leeds prison Getty Images 23/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks next to Youth Justice Board Adviser Roy Sefa-Attakora during a roundtable on the criminal justice system Reuters 24/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a joint press conference following Johnson's arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 25/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (C) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) attend a guard of honor upon Johnson's arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 26/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions from school children at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 27/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a roundtable at Downing Street in London, Britain, September 19 Reuters 28/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson adresses Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during their meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain September 20 Reuters 29/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks from 10 Downing Street to welcome the Emir of Qatar Getty Images 30/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the House of Commons Reuters 31/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London PA 32/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he leaves his official residence in London's Downing Street ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General ElectioN Getty Images 33/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares a pie at the Red Olive catering company while on the campaign trail, in Derby AP 34/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Cardiff airport ahead of a visit to IG Design Group in Hengoed, on the last day of General Election campaigning PA 35/53 The Queen's Equerry, Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah (right), watches as Boris Johnson leaves Buckingham Palace PA 36/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is greeted by staff as he returns to 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace and accepting her invitation to form a new government AP 37/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses with newly-elected Conservative MPs at the Houses of Parliament Reuters 38/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Pavegen stand, a company that converts footsteps into energy, at the Innovation Zone during the UK-Africa Investment Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel London PA 39/53 Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as they attend the UK-Africa Investment Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel London PA 40/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts as he prepares to paint the eyes on Chinese Lions, as he hosts a Chinese New Year reception at 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 41/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks flanked by his new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (4th R) following a reshuffle at Downing Street Getty Images 42/53 Boris Johnson visits the Mologic Laboratory in the Bedford Technology Park Reuters 43/53 Boris Johnson addresses the nation on Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons 44/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak applaud outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our carers campaign in support of the NHS London 45/53 Boris Johnson speaks to the Queen on the telephone for her weekly audience amid the coronavirus crisis PA 46/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson participating in a video conference call with other G20 leaders in the study of 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty 47/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing he has tested positive for Coronavirus 48/53 AP 49/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives a statement in Downing Street in central London on April 27, 2020 after returning to work following more than three weeks off after being hospitalised with the COVID-19 illness Jeremy Selwyn 50/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and his fiancee Carrie Symonds participate in a national "clap for carers" to show thanks for the work of Britain's NHS (National Health Service) workers and other frontline medical staff around the country as they battle with the novel coronavirus pandemic, in the doorway of 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty 51/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, sporting a new haircut, during a visit to the Siemens Rail factory construction site in Goole PA 52/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Getty Images 53/53 The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds with their son Wilfred in the study of No. 10 Downing Street speaking via zoom to the midwifes that helped deliver their son at the UCLH. Andrew Parsons/No10 Downing St 1/53 Boris Johnson back in Downing Street today after recovering from Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn 2/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory Jeremy Selwyn 3/53 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson PA 4/53 Britain's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff AP 5/53 Boris Johnson delivering his first speech as PM from outside No10 AFP/Getty Images 6/53 New Prime Minister Boris Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds outside No10 Getty Images 7/53 Boris Johnson waves as he enters No10 Reuters 8/53 Boris Johnson's girlfriend Carrie Symonds at No10 today as he assumes the post of Prime Minister Getty Images 9/53 Mr Johnson walks along Downing Street to address the nation Reuters 10/53 Boris Johnson arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen PA 11/53 Mr Johnson was overwhelmingly backed to lead the Conservative Party PA 12/53 Britain's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson is welcomed into 10 Downing Street by staff AP 13/53 Boris vowed to serve the people as he took office AP 14/53 Britain's New Prime Minister Boris Johnson enters No10 AP 15/53 He is due to announce who will form his government later today AP 16/53 Boris Johnson waves to the crowd after being appointed Prime Minister Jeremy Selwyn 17/53 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace PA 18/53 Boris Johnson waves as he leaves Buckingham Palace PA 19/53 Boris Johnson is driven into Buckingham Palace Reuters 20/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson talks with ambulance crews during a visit to Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, northeast England AFP/Getty Images 21/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan (L) at 10 Downing Street EPA 22/53 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and HMP Leeds governor Steve Robson are shown a torso and body scanner by a member of prison staff during a visit to Leeds prison Getty Images 23/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks next to Youth Justice Board Adviser Roy Sefa-Attakora during a roundtable on the criminal justice system Reuters 24/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a joint press conference following Johnson's arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 25/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (C) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) attend a guard of honor upon Johnson's arrival at the Chancellery on August 21, 2019 in Berlin, Germany Getty Images 26/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions from school children at Downing Street Jeremy Selwyn 27/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a roundtable at Downing Street in London, Britain, September 19 Reuters 28/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson adresses Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during their meeting at Downing Street in London, Britain September 20 Reuters 29/53 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks from 10 Downing Street to welcome the Emir of Qatar Getty Images 30/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the House of Commons Reuters 31/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London PA 32/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he leaves his official residence in London's Downing Street ahead of an audience with Queen Elizabeth II and the formal start of the General ElectioN Getty Images 33/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares a pie at the Red Olive catering company while on the campaign trail, in Derby AP 34/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Cardiff airport ahead of a visit to IG Design Group in Hengoed, on the last day of General Election campaigning PA 35/53 The Queen's Equerry, Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah (right), watches as Boris Johnson leaves Buckingham Palace PA 36/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is greeted by staff as he returns to 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace and accepting her invitation to form a new government AP 37/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses with newly-elected Conservative MPs at the Houses of Parliament Reuters 38/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Pavegen stand, a company that converts footsteps into energy, at the Innovation Zone during the UK-Africa Investment Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel London PA 39/53 Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as they attend the UK-Africa Investment Summit at the Intercontinental Hotel London PA 40/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts as he prepares to paint the eyes on Chinese Lions, as he hosts a Chinese New Year reception at 10 Downing Street AFP via Getty Images 41/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks flanked by his new Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (4th R) following a reshuffle at Downing Street Getty Images 42/53 Boris Johnson visits the Mologic Laboratory in the Bedford Technology Park Reuters 43/53 Boris Johnson addresses the nation on Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons 44/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak applaud outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our carers campaign in support of the NHS London 45/53 Boris Johnson speaks to the Queen on the telephone for her weekly audience amid the coronavirus crisis PA 46/53 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson participating in a video conference call with other G20 leaders in the study of 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty 47/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing he has tested positive for Coronavirus 48/53 AP 49/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives a statement in Downing Street in central London on April 27, 2020 after returning to work following more than three weeks off after being hospitalised with the COVID-19 illness Jeremy Selwyn 50/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and his fiancee Carrie Symonds participate in a national "clap for carers" to show thanks for the work of Britain's NHS (National Health Service) workers and other frontline medical staff around the country as they battle with the novel coronavirus pandemic, in the doorway of 10 Downing Street 10 Downing Street/AFP via Getty 51/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, sporting a new haircut, during a visit to the Siemens Rail factory construction site in Goole PA 52/53 Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Getty Images 53/53 The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds with their son Wilfred in the study of No. 10 Downing Street speaking via zoom to the midwifes that helped deliver their son at the UCLH. Andrew Parsons/No10 Downing St

Mr Johnson has the best personal scores of any leader since 2017, with 46 per cent satisfied and 44 dissatisfied — a net score of plus 2.

Conservatives are overwhelmingly happy with their leader, with 80 per cent satisfied and nine per cent dissatisfied.

Mr Corbyn has failed to improve since last month’s record-breaking low personal scores. Just 15 per cent of voters are happy with his performance and 75 per cent are unhappy — a net score of minus 60.

Labour voters are divided about their leader, with 46 per cent satisfied and 49 per cent dissatisfied.

Voters have warmed to the Prime Minister’s handling of Brexit in the past month, during which he clinched his deal. Some 47 per cent say he has done a good job, while 45 per cent say he has done badly. That compares with last month’s score of 38 good and 53 bad. It is the first net positive score for any leader on Brexit since March 2017.

Tories are thrilled with the PM’s handling of Brexit, with 84 per cent saying “good job” and 11 per cent “bad job”.

Voters give an overwhelming thumbs down to Mr Corbyn’s handling of Brexit. Just 11 per cent think he has done well, while 79 per cent say he has done badly.

Labour voters also say Mr Corbyn has mishandled Brexit. Just 37 per cent of his own party base say he has done well, while 52 per cent say he has done badly.

Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal gets mixed reviews from the public — but a much warmer score than Theresa May’s agreement did a year ago. His deal is deemed good by 38 per cent and bad by 44. Her deal was seen as good by just 25 and bad by 62 per cent.

Jo Swinson and Nigel Farage both have negative ratings overall, albeit with more “don’t knows”. Lib Dem leader Ms Swinson is on minus 12 (29 satisfied/41 dissatisfied) and the Brexit Party leader is at minus 22 (29/51).

Britons are deeply pessimistic about the economic outlook for the year ahead, with 56 per cent expecting things to get worse, and 17 per cent hopeful they will get better.

There is no sign of Mr Johnson being badly damaged by failing to hit his “do or die” deadline for Brexit of 11pm tonight. Three people in 10 think it makes no difference, three in 10 think it is a good thing, and four in 10 think it is a bad thing.

Just two in 10 of the people who are glad that Brexit has been delayed to January 31 think Mr Corbyn was responsible for the postponement. On the other hand, four in 10 of those who think the delay is a bad thing hold him partly to blame for it.

Ratings for the Government as a whole are low, with just 19 per cent of voters happy with how it is running the country, including only a third of Conservatives, while 74 per cent are dissatisfied. Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, cautioned: “As Theresa May knows, a poll lead can be lost during a campaign and this puts the Conservatives at the upper margins compared with other polls. Nevertheless it confirms the Conservatives are starting in a strong position.”

Listen to today's episode of The Leader:



More than 300,000 people have applied to register to vote in 48 hours, according to government figures.