May's lead over Corbyn slips, but still well ahead

  • 30/04/2017
Theresa May (Getty)
Theresa May (Getty)

Three British polls show a rise in support for the opposition Labour Party, although the governing Conservative party maintains a commanding lead.

The polls show the party of British Prime Minister Theresa May remains between 11 and 17 points ahead of Labour, still enough to deliver a clear victory as she seeks a mandate ahead of negotiations over Brexit, due to begin in the northern summer.

However, the polls showed the gap had closed from leads of up to 25 points reported last weekend.

One poll by YouGov showed the Conservative lead over the Labour had fallen to 13 points, compared to the 23 points that the same polling firm found last week.

The YouGov poll for the Sunday Times found that 44 percent were set to back the Conservatives, down from 48 per cent last weekend. Support for Labour climbed to 31 percent from 25 percent.

Ms May said on April 11 that she would look to hold an election on June 8, to secure a mandate for her plan for leaving the European Union.

Her secure lead in the polls meant sterling rose on the prospect of an election. She has sought to portray her Conservative Party as the stable option as Britain prepares to start negotiations with the EU over the terms of its departure.

Reuters