New ComRes Poll – Tories Increase Lead to 4%

There is a new poll from Communicate Research reported tonight for tomorrow’s Independent and ITV News which shows the Conservatives and Labour up and the Lib Dems down:

              Conservative             33% (up 1%)

                                       Lib Dem                    29% (down 2%) 

                                       Labour                      29% (up 1%)

Changes are within the margin of error but overall the changes are in line with the earlier Populus poll suggesting the Lib Dems drifting downwards and the Conservatives up again.

New Populus Poll – Tories Pull Away From Lib Dems

There is a new Populus poll reported tonight for tomorrow’s Times which shows the Conservatives stretching their lead over the Lib Dems to 8%:

            Conservative              36% (up 4%)

            Lib Dem                      28% (down 3%)

                                                           Labour                       27% (down 1%) 

This poll suggests again that the Lib Dem tide is turning but Labour will be concerned that despite the Lib Dem fall they are still in second place.

Another West/East Mix Up From Local Lib Dems

A week ago I wrote about the campaign website of Reading East Lib Dem candidate Gareth Epps, which saw him promising “a Fresh Start for Reading West”. Of course it was swiftly amended as soon as I blogged it but a kind correspondent had screen-captured the blooper for me. You might think therefore that the Lib Dems would be most careful not to repeat the error.

However, a resident has passed me a copy of a “Focus” leaflet currently being distributed in Redlands ward. Not only is Epps once again advertised as the candidate for Reading West but he is described as the “perspective” (sic) candidate! The same caption suggests that “a resident” is posing for the photo with Gareth (Reading West) and Daisy Benson (Redlands). If you look closely, that “resident” bears more than a passing resemblance to Lib Dem Councillor Warren Swaine, who not only does not represent Redlands but lives in Katesgrove ward.

So that one Lib Dem photo and caption is confusing, misleading AND inaccurate. Quite an achievement!

Have a look at the leaflet here.