The Liberal Democrats are on course to sharply increase their number of MPs, largely at Labour's expense, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published this morning.The unique ICM poll of voters in 42 seats within the grasp of Liberal Democrats suggests the party's vote is climbing more strongly in Labour-held marginal seats than in Conservative ones.
And remarkably shows that the Lib Dems could increase their number of MPs to at least 80, 17 more than the party won in 2005 and the largest at any election since 1923. A result that would surely be most welcomed in the yellow camp.
The poll was carried out on Tuesday night before the prime minister's criticism of a voter in Lib Dem-held Rochdale as "bigoted", which could have already further weakened Labour’s chances. Regardless, its results show that Labour and even the Conservatives may lose seats to the Lib Dems if voting patterns reflect the polls.
In the 42 polled Lib Dem target seats, the party came second in 2005 and could take on a swing of 6% or less. The poll shows Lib Dem support is now 39% (+4), compared to 35% (-1) for the Conservatives and 18% (-5) for Labour.
The poll was carried out on Tuesday night before the prime minister's criticism of a voter in Lib Dem-held Rochdale as "bigoted", which could have already further weakened Labour’s chances. Regardless, its results show that Labour and even the Conservatives may lose seats to the Lib Dems if voting patterns reflect the polls.
In the 42 polled Lib Dem target seats, the party came second in 2005 and could take on a swing of 6% or less. The poll shows Lib Dem support is now 39% (+4), compared to 35% (-1) for the Conservatives and 18% (-5) for Labour.
