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An exclusive poll today suggests Labour could seize up to eight of its London target seats at the general election, putting Ed Miliband a step closer to 10 Downing Street.

With 101 days until the voting stations open, the YouGov/Evening Standard survey gives Mr Miliband’s party a clear lead in the capital, backed by 42 per cent of Londoners.

David Cameron’s Conservatives are 10 points behind, at 32 per cent, and Labour’s lead has grown two points in the past month.

Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats have been pushed into a humiliating fifth place for the first time since 2010, on seven per cent — behind Nigel Farage’s Ukip, on 10 per cent, and Natalie Bennett’s resurgent Greens, now at eight.

If such results were mirrored across the country on May 7, Mr Miliband could expect to lead the largest party at Westminster. An Evening Standard analysis suggests:

A string of Tory marginals would fall on an even swing, including the capital’s most marginal seat, Hendon, where Matthew Offord has a majority of just 106. Other Conservatives facing a battle for their seats include Nick de Bois in Enfield North, Mary Macleod in Brentford and Isleworth, and Gavin Barwell in Croydon Central.

Labour would be narrowly ahead in two more Tory seats, Harrow East, and Ealing Central and Acton. Labour looks set to take Brent Central from the Liberal Democrats. The party is currently falling short of targets Finchley and Golders Green, and Ilford North.

Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone could be a big Liberal Democrat casualty, despite her majority of nearly 7,000 at Hornsey and Wood Green.

Lib-Dem veteran Simon Hughes, the Justice Minister, is on a knife-edge in Bermondsey and Old Southwark, which is too close to call.

The Conservatives could win in Sutton and Cheam, where Lib-Dem former Health Minister Paul Burstow, defending a 1,608 majority, could be squeezed by the Greens.

Anthony Wells, of YouGov, said: “Labour is set to gain its easier targets across London in May. However, unlike in 2010, when it did better in the capital than the rest of the country, it shows no signs of out-performing in London.”

The battle for London heated up today as Cabinet ministers hit the streets to promote Government policies.

And Labour’s campaign chief Sadiq Khan said the party planned to talk directly to two million Londoners over the next 101 days. “London holds the keys to Downing Street,” he said.

@JoeMurphyLondon