Labour has regained slim lead over David Cameron’s Conservatives but just 24% approve of Labour leadership

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Labour has regained a slim lead over David Cameron’s party, according to the latest Opinium/Observer poll.

Ed Miliband could win an absolute majority according to the survey, which puts him on 35% – two points up on last week. The Conservatives have slipped by one point to 34%. If there was a uniform national swing – meaning the changes in each party’s support from this poll were evenly applied to 2010 election results across all constituencies – Labour could win an overall majority.



Ukip is on 14% while the Liberal Democrats and the Greens are tied on 6%.

Pollsters at Opinium said it appears that the two main parties are statistically tied, with variations in recent weeks being within the bounds of statistical error.

However, Cameron continues to lead the pack on approval ratings, they found.

The latest poll has 40% saying they approve of his leadership, while 42% disapprove. Miliband is on 24% “approve” and 49% “disapprove”.

In the wake of the scandal surrounding former cabinet ministers Jack Straw and Malcolm Rifkind, and allegations that they were willing to work on behalf of a Chinese company for thousands of pounds a day, Opinium also asked a series of questions on MPs’ pay.

It found that 63% believe that MPs’ current salary is high enough and shouldn’t be increased. Nearly half (45%) say it’s important to pay MPs enough to ensure they’re not tempted to add to their income by taking secondary work.

Two in five (40%) say they’d be happy if the basic salary went up if it meant that MPs are banned from earning from outside parliament.

Only a quarter (24%) say that most MPs can be trusted not to let their private financial interests influence how they do their jobs.

Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 1,948 GB adults aged 18 and over from 24 to 26 February 2015. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. Full tables and results are available here.