Sorry Sqad !
As you say, I have in the past posted the YouGov Poll. But its been so consistent for the last 2 years, that perhaps I have taken my eye off the ball somewhat. I obviously need to address this and thank you reminding me of my public duty !
The lead is now 7 points, as we can see from results published today ::
http://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/01/17/update-labour-lead-7/
(Note that there is a typo on the front page. Con should be 32%, not 33%.)
You have to go back to late 2010, just a few weeks after the General Election to find a position when Labour and the Tories were even neck and neck, let alone ahead. Ever since Labour have been consistently ahead.
We have the Euro elections coming up soon. These are relatively unimportant compared to a General Election of course, but the Tories are in imminent danger of coming third, behind Labour and the ghastly UKIP !
I have never pretended that everything is rosey in the Labour garden, as they are not half as as dynamic as I would like. Ed Balls, for instance, is an easy target for the Tory front bench to attack, and attack they do ! But despite this, the Tories still lag well behind. Could it perhaps be polices that makes Labour more attractive, rather than personalities ?
When voting intentions are examined in more detail you find that people from all age groups and backgrounds are more likely to support Labour rather than the Tories. Look, for instance at the voting intentions of the crucial over-40's in the above link...Labour are well ahead, by as many as 13 points. Only amongst the wealthy and well-educated does the lead shrink to 1 point.
There really isn't any good news whatsoever for dave in these Polls. There isn't even the smallest glimmer of light. In Scotland, for instance, the situation is dire. They only have one seat left north of the border and they face losing it.
There is plenty to play for but not really plenty of time left. Campaigning for the next General Election will start in about 14 months time. Unless dave gets a grip, he faces being retired to the Tory back benches in disgrace.
Just when dave thought it couldn't get any worse, here is this morning's Telegraph :::
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/matthewholehouse/100220387/if-an-election-were-held-tomorrow-ed-miliband-would-win-by-a-landslide/
Note the key word in the headline "Landslide" and this is from a TORY newspaper !