Big boost for Lib Dems in latest ICM poll

The ICM April survey for the Guardian tomorrow is just out and the headline figures show a reduction in the Tory lead and a three point increase in the Lib Dem share. The totals with changes on last month are: CON 37%(-4): LAB 30% (-1): LD 21% (+3). Of the minor parties both UKIP and the Greens are on 2%.

There was also a drop in the Tory lead when voters were asked the “named leader” question – “who would you vote for if it was Cameron’s Tories against Brown’s Labour and Ming’s LDs?”. These are the shares compared with last month – CON 40% (-3): LAB 28% (nc) : LD 20% (+2).

The survey took place at the weekend after a bad week for the Tories when there was a series of poor Commons performances and the Greg Dyke issue.

The big winners in the polls are the Lib Dems who have seen a big increase in their vote share in the two surveys that have come out today. CR had good numbers for Ming’s party this morning.

UPDATE: Other points from the poll:-

78% of those asked including most Labour supporters want a contest when Tony steps down.

Brown leads 40% to 39% as the man voters think “would be most likely to take the right decisions when the going got tough.” In September Cameron trailed by 7%.

By 43%-37% those in the survey thought “Cameron had the most potential as PM”.

Mike Smithson