Sadiq edges ahead in close early London Mayor poll

Sadiq Khan is ahead of Zac Goldsmith by 51% to 49% in the first YouGov poll for the Evening Standard since both were confirmed as their party’s candidates.

It is also the first time that Khan has been ahead of Goldsmith in a head-to-head polled by YouGov (other pollsters have shown him with leads previously). A Khan/Goldsmith run-off in June revealed a tie, while Goldsmith edged it in July and August polling – suggesting that early momentum may have shifted towards Labour’s campaign.

However, 44% of voters said they were not sure which candidate they preferred, showing that the race is wide open. Goldsmith had slightly more support among Lib Dems than Khan (29% to 25% preferred the Tory candidate), while his Euroscepticism made him by far the favourite among 2015 UKIP voters (36% to 3%).

On a series of other issues, including whether they would be good in a crisis, were likeable and be up to the job of being London Mayor, the two candidates were tied – but Sadiq showed a huge lead when voters were asked whether they were in touch with ordinary people. Khan grew up in south London as the son of a bus driver, while Goldsmith attended Eton and his father was a billionaire.