British Conservative leader David Cameron is on course for a possible general election win, according to an ICM poll published today that shows support for the Conservatives climbing to a lead that could give them a narrow majority in the Commons, while Labour has plunged to a 19-year low.
The Tories have gained over the last month while support for Labour has fallen heavily in the wake of the recent alleged terror plot against airlines.
An overwhelming majority of voters appear to pin part of the blame for the increased threat on Tony Blair's policy of intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ministers, including Mr Blair, have repeatedly denied that there is a connection. But 72 per cent, including 65 per cent of Labour voters, believe government policy has made Britain more of a target for terrorists. Only 1 per cent of voters believe the government's foreign policy has made Britain safer, a devastating finding given that action in Iraq and Afghanistan has been justified in part to defeat Islamist terrorism.
That may explain why Labour support has dropped four points in a month, to 31 per cent, the lowest figure recorded by ICM since just before the 1987 election and the second lowest since the poll series began in 1984.
- (Guardian service)