Lib Dems surge to highest poll rating in five years

Sarah Olney's Richmond Park by-election victory has seen the party jump four points from 10 to 14 (PA)

The Liberal Democrats are at their best position in the polls for five years, up 4 points from 10 per cent following their victory over Zac Goldsmith in the Richmond Park by-election, their biggest share since August 2011.

Leader Tim Farron’s ratings have also risen from 23 per cent to 27.

The poll for the Evening Standard put the Liberal Democrats five points clear of Ukip.

 

The Lib Dems have struggled in the polls since former leader Nick Clegg took the party into a coalition with the Conservatives, but the redistribution of their support since has been startling, with many Liberal Democrat voters appearing to desert them for Ukip.

The Lib Dems fought hard to win the Richmond Park by-election, campaigning on an openly pro-EU policy, and a promise to keep Britain in the single market.

But the party was warned against complacency, and that rises in poll ratings can disappear just as fast. Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: "Richmond Park was a positive sign – and news story - for the Lib-Dems after their lows in recent years.

"But as always no-one should get carried away from just one poll. There’s still a very long way for them to go, and it could just be a short-term effect."

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The poll also gave the Conservatives an 11-point lead over Labour, with the Tories at 40 per cent (down two points) and Labour on 29 (down four).

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has the worst ratings of any the four main party leaders, with just 26 per cent satisfied with him, and 58 per cent dissatisfied.

Paul Nuttall’s election as leader of Ukip has pushed them up two points to nine, but half of those surveyed said they did not have a view on his performance in the job.

The Green Party are on three per cent, one point less than the combined total of the SNP and Plaid Cymru.