New poll hands Tories 17 point lead as Labour suffer worst rating since 2009

Labour’s level of support nationally has slumped to its lowest level since 2009, according to a new poll.

A YouGov poll, published today, handed the Conservatives a 17 point lead despite Theresa May’s struggle to set out what Brexit means for this country.

The results, published today, showed the Tories on 42 per cent, Labour on 25 per cent, UKIP on 12 per cent and the Lib Dems on 11 per cent.

It means the Tories are up three per cent, Labour down by two, UKIP down by two and the Lib Dems up by two.

This is Labour’s worst showing since September 2009, when Gordon Brown was prime minister, and the government was under fire as it tried to deal with the global banking crisis.

Today’s poll is the first survey of voting intention to emerge since the Richmond Park by-election, when Labour came in third place and lost its deposit.

It also showed May leading Corbyn 49/16 over who makes the best prime minister. A further 35 per cent answered “don’t know”.

The research was carried out before the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election, in which Labour fell from second to fourth place. UKIP’s vote also fell in the Lincolnshire vote, despite the eurosceptic party pouring resources into the contest.

The latest opinion poll will be seized upon by opponents of Jeremy Corbyn, who believe Labour cannot win a general election under his leadership, although supporters of the veteran left-winger point out the party has won Commons by-elections in Oldham West and Royton, and Tooting, as well as the London mayoral election over the last 15 months.