Election '97: Parties agree on polls

The Conservatives and Labour last night accepted that the opinion polls were not accurately reflecting the real difference between the parties and said that research in yesterday's Independent was nearer the mark.

John Major said in Leeds: "The Independent interestingly enough actually chose to go out to the marginal seats, knock on a few doors and talk to people itself rather than just rely on opinion polls."

Our survey of constituencies found that contrary to the Labour lead of 14-19 points in the polls, the parties were much closer and that the Labour lead in target Tory seats was soft and could change.

Senior Labour sources said last night that the findings did not unduly concern them, as their own polling suggested a lead of "more than 10 points - but less than 20".