Labour grabs five-point poll lead as public turns against Boris Johnson’s Covid-19 strategy

Party’s biggest lead in Ipsos MORI survey since May 2019 - when Theresa May’s doomed premiership was imploding

The survey will fuel Conservative fears that voters are losing confidence in Boris Johnson

(AP)

Labour has grabbed a five-point lead over the Conservatives, amid growing criticism of Boris Johnson over his handling of Covid-19 and free school meals.

Both the prime minister’s personal ratings and public support for his strategy for curbing the pandemic’s second wave have slumped, the survey shows.

Labour is on a 42 per cent vote share – up five points since September – while the Tories are on 37 per cent, down three, with the Lib Dems unchanged on eight and Greens on five.

It is Labour’s first lead in the Ipsos MORI survey since May 2019, when Theresa May’s premiership was imploding, although another pollster put the party ahead by a smaller margin.

It will fuel Conservative fears that voters are losing confidence in Mr Johnson, as coronavirus restrictions are extended – with no apparent exit strategy.

The prime minister has also been damaged by the refusal to provide holiday meals to hungry children – despite footballer Marcus Rashford’s high-profile campaign – and rows with Northern leaders.

The findings are also a timely boost for Keir Starmer, amid party turmoil over the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn, although the poll was carried out before that controversy.

Just 33 per cent of the public is now satisfied with the job Mr Johnson is doing – down seven points in just one month – with 59 per cent dissatisfied (up five).

Similarly, only 30 per cent of adults believe the government is handling the coronavirus crisis well, down two points on September.

While the prime minister’s net satisfaction rating is minus 26, Sir Keir’s remains positive at plus 15.

Going back almost 40 years, only Tony Blair has enjoyed a better net satisfaction rating at this stage of his leadership (plus 26).

Furthermore, a whopping 71 per cent of Britons expect the economy to get worse in the next 12 months, a figure up five points from September.

There is apparent indecision at the heart of government, as ministers reject their own scientists’ call for a new national lockdown – despite rising infection rates – while not ruling it out entirely.

The prime minister is accused of making a traditional Christmas less likely by refusing to introduce harsh restrictions earlier – making a mid-winter lockdown more likely.

Cabinet ministers have sparked confusion about whether get-togethers will be banned, after one urged families to abandon their hopes – while another insisted gatherings are still possible.

Mr Johnson’s team is torn between the need for restrictions and the fear that people desperate to host their relatives on Christmas Day simply will not comply.