Conservatives surge to 12-point poll lead over Labour ahead of Brexit deadline Boris Johnson could be on course to receive a majority in Parliament, if a snap election is held later this year

The Conservative Party has extended its lead over Labour as Boris Johnson appears set to press ahead with a no-deal Brexit.

A YouGov poll for The Sunday Times found that Mr Johnson has extended his party’s lead over Labour, as rumours continue to swirl of a potential early election.

The poll places the Tories on 33 per cent, a full 12 points clear of the Labour Party on 21 per cent.

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The Liberal Democrats are in third on 19 per cent, with the Brexit Party on 14 per cent of the vote and the Green Party receiving 7 per cent.

Labour has not topped a national poll at any point in August, with the Conservatives maintaining a lead of three to 12 points.

Boris Johnson could win majority

If repeated in an election, with anti-Brexit voters split between Labour and the Liberal Democrats, the result could put Boris Johnson on course to receive a majority in Parliament.

YouGov’s Adam McDonnell explained that Mr Johnson’s strategy of appealing to Brexit voters “could pay off” as long as the Remain vote “continues to be split” between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

He explained: “Conservatives are well equipped to win over further voters from Nigel Farage, and current evidence suggests they have a have a better chance of winning over Leave voters than Labour have at increasing their Remain share.

“More than half of those who currently say they will vote for the Brexit Party backed the Conservatives in 2017, so are at least somewhat open to voting for the party.”

He added: “If the Conservatives hold on to and improve their vote share among Leavers nationally while Labour and Liberal Democrats continue to split the Remain vote, this could prove very fruitful for the Tories in not only Leave areas but also some Remain areas.

“In constituencies such as Canterbury or Kensington, where a majority voted to Remain in 2016, Labour managed to win seats off the Conservatives in 2017.

“If there is a national swing in the Remain vote share to the Liberal Democrats compared to 2017 the Conservatives could win these marginal seats back.”

Previous polling focused on party leaders suggested that voters hold considerably more positive view of Mr Johnson than of Jeremy Corbyn.

Fuel duty cut fuels election speculation

It was reported elsewhere on Sunday that Mr Johnson is preparing to cut fuel duty in an emergency budget by Chancellor Sajid Javid, in an apparent signal that a snap election could be on the cards.

The giveaway to motorists would be the first time rates of fuel duty have been cut in eight years, with rates remaining frozen under David Cameron and Theresa May.



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A Downing Street source told The Mail on Sunday : “After eight years, it is time to finally put some money back into the pockets of motorists. The savings would help hard-working hauliers, commuters and parents on the school run.

“It also sends a clear message that the Prime Minister is fully behind business in the run-up to Brexit.”

The Sunday Times reports that Downing Street has “wargamed” the prospect of an election on 17 October, just two weeks before Mr Johnson’s Brexit deadline.

An election could also be called if MPs succeed in a plot to oust Mr Johnson via a vote of no confidence if he attempts to pursue a no-deal Brexit.