Boost for Theresa May as Tories take three point lead over Labour amid Russia response

The Conservatives have opened up a three point poll lead over Labour in the wake of the poisoning of Sergei Skripal.



In a boost for Theresa May, the latest YouGov poll for The Times shows the Tories on 42%, up one point since last week, with Labour down four points on 39%.

It also found that 53% of voters think the Prime Minister has handled the aftermath of the nerve agent attack on the Russian ex-spy well, compared to only 18% who think the same of Jeremy Corbyn.

Meanwhile 23% think she has dealt with the situation badly, compared to 39% for the Labour leader.

The findings come after Mrs May said there was no “alternative conclusion” to the nerve gas assault other than that Moscow was behind it, before vowing the largest expulsion of diplomats in thirty years.

The poll also finds that a clear majority of the public back the Government's sanctions, which include kicking out 23 Russian diplomats, freezing some assets, suspending high-level contact with Moscow and withholding ministerial and royal representation from the World Cup.

It shows 60% of the public support the measures, compared to just 14% who oppose them and 26% who don't know.

Mrs May’s response came in contrast to Jeremy Corbyn, who sparked anger among his own MPs after he refused to pin the blame on the Kremlin.

The Labour leader yesterday hardened his response by saying Russia "appears to be responsible" for the attack, although he later suggested it could have been carried out by the mafia.

The study shows his scepticism is out of touch with the public view too, with a massive 73% saying they believe Russia was behind the attack, compared to 5% who think it was not Russia and 21% who do not know.

The latest poll comes just days after pollsters Survation gave Labour a 7% lead over the Conservatives - at 44% and 37% respectively.