Labour and the Conservatives are neck and neck in the fight for Nadine Dorries’ former Mid Bedfordshire seat, according to new constituency polling.
The latest data from the traditionally safe Tory seat puts the two parties both on 20 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent, when undecided voters are included.
When undecided voters are excluded, both Labour and the Tories are on 29 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats at 22 per cent.
The poll found that 27 per cent of those intending to vote were currently undecided.
Commissioned by the Labour Together group and carried out by polling company Survation, it suggests a major drop-off in Conservative support in the constituency from Ms Dorries’ 60 per cent share of the vote at the 2019 general election.
But it will add to fears in Sir Keir Starmer’s team that Rishi Sunak’s party could still retain the seat if voters split between the Lib Dems and Labour.
The poll is based on 559 respondents, with 481 contacted by phone and 78 younger participants targeted online.
The by-election is due to be held on October 19, after Ms Dorries bowed to pressure and quit her Commons seat.
Labour figures have pointed to the polling as evidence of the need to back the party in a few weeks’ time.\
Josh Simons, director of Labour Together, said: “Our polling clearly shows this is a two horse race between Labour and the Conservatives.
“After 13 years, Britain needs the Conservatives out and Keir Starmer’s Labour in.
“Voting Labour is the best and only way for voters in Mid Bedfordshire to send a message to this shambolic Tory government.”
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, who was campaigning in the constituency on Saturday, said on social media: “Saw this with my own eyes in Mid Beds today: disaffected Tories are turning to Labour in huge numbers.”
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