Nigel Farage's Reform 'breathing down Kemi Badenoch's neck' as poll shows Tory collapse
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A top pollster has warned Reform UK is breathing down Kemi Badenoch's neck as a survey showed the Tories being pushed into third place. Professor Sir John Curtice told The Mirror Nigel Farage's right-wing party was finding it "easier" to eat into the Conservative vote than it was in attracting Labour voters. It came as a poll by YouGov found Reform almost tied with Labour - 26% versus 25% - but leapfrogging the Conservatives on just 22% - two months after Ms Badenoch became leader.
The Liberal Democrats, who won an extra 64 MPs at the 2024 general election, are on 14% while the Greens are on 8%, according to the survey. Sir John said that while some Labour voters are defecting to Reform, they are also heading to the other political parties at Westminster, including the Lib Dems and Greens. He said: "It's true more are going to Reform now than were willing to do so back in July but it isn't the case of Labour voters simply going to Reform.
"What is also true... while Reform are indeed to some degree eating into the Labour vote they are finding it easier to eat into the Tory vote. Having now taken all the polls that have come out since Christmas, what you do find, Labour's vote is down slightly - but it's marginal.
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