Corbyn closes Conservatives’ poll lead in wake of Manchester attack

Labour has closed the gap on the Tories in two opinion polls taken after the Manchester attack as terrorism has risen up the list of public concerns.

The surveys, taken after the atrocity in Manchester on Monday which killed 22 people, each showed a double-digit lead for Theresa May’s party.

Labour posted 34 per cent, up four points, and the Tories 46, down two, according to the ComRes poll for the Sunday Mirror and the Independent.

May won 42 per cent support on who is most likely to keep Britain safe from terroris while Corbyn was on 16 per cent.

In another poll, by Opinium, Labour posted 35 per cent, up two, and the Tories 45 per cent, down one.

The issue of terrorism has moved from fifth to second in the list of most important issues facing the country, Opinium said.

May performed an humilating climbdown this week on reforms to paying for the cost of social care. It is believed to be the first u-turn on a manifesto during an election campaign in British history.

ComRes for the Sunday Mirror and the Independent:

Conservative 46 per cent (-2)

Labour  34 per cent (+4)

Lib Dems 8 per cent (-2)

UKIP 5 per cent (NC)

SNP 4 per cent (NC)

Green 2 per cent (-1)

Other 1 per cent (-1)

The survey was carried out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Opinium:

Conservatives 45 per cent (-1)

Labour 35 per cent (+2)

Lib Dems 7 per cent (-1)

UKIP 5 per cent (NC)

SNP 5 per cent (NC)

Plaid Cymru 1 per cent (+1)

Greens 2 per cent (nc)

Other 1 per cent (nc)

The survey was carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday.