Poll List: ICM shows net gain for Labour of 4 points

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

A new ICM poll for today’s Guardian shows Labour have narrowed the gap on the Tories by four points to 13%, securing a net gain on the Conservatives of 4 points. It’s the third consecutive major poll in which Labour have consolidated or improved their position on the Tories.

With time running out, however, these numbers would be enough for a 70 seat Tory majority if transfered to the general election next year. Equally worrying is the Guardian’s assertion that:

“the Tory leader is now regarded as tougher, more decisive and mjore internationally respected than Gordon Brown…Today’s scores are the same as Labour’s lead in the November 1996 Guardian/ICM poll, before the May 1997 election, which Tony Blair went on to win by just under 13 points.”

On a couple of key questions, David Cameron and the Tories have made gains in vital areas. Asked which party is best placed to bring people out of poverty, 42% of respondents said the Conservatives, and 41% said Labour; 48% think David Cameron is more decisive, with only 37% saying Gordon Brownl and Cameron also leads by 9 points on making the right decision when the going gets tough.