New poll boosts Lib Dem hopes in Shepway

The latest Populus Opinion Poll in The Times shows that the Lib Dems are gaining ground on Michael Howard's Conservative party. The poll showed the Lib Dems up 7% to 24%, while the Tories fell 4% to 31%. Labour also fell 4%.

Shepway Lib Dem Agent Shaun Roberts said, "Under Michael Howard's leadership, the Conservatives are polling worse than they were under Iain Duncan Smith. The gap between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives has nearly halved since the last General Election nationally. This can only be good news for our campaign to beat the Tories here in Shepway."

"The clear trend in the polls since the last election is that people are turning to the Lib Dems when they are unhappy with the Government - not the Conservative party regardless of who is leader. Our messages on Iraq, tuition fees and on Council tax are striking a real chord with voters."

The poll also placed Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy ahead of Michael Howard in the popularity stakes.

ENDS

Notes

Full details of the poll can be found at http://www.populuslimited.com