Rishi Sunak handed major polling jump as Labour lead slashed by incredible amount

​Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak has cut Labour's lead in the polls

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Dan Falvey

By Dan Falvey


Published: 01/10/2023

- 10:24

Updated: 01/10/2023

- 10:28

The gap between the Tories and Labour ahas shrunk just as the party gathers in Manchester for its annual conference

Rishi Sunak was delivered a pre-conference boost this morning after Labour's polling lead was slashed to just 10 points.

The Prime Minister closed the gap on the opposition party by five points after making a series of policy announcements aimed at shoring up the Conservative base.


After revealing plans to cut back on some of the Government's net zero targets, hinting at the scrapping of the Birmingham to Manchester leg of HS2, and declaring an end to the "war on motorists".

The poll for a Sunday newspaper put Labour on 39 per cent of the vote and the Conservatives on 29 per cent.

WATCH: Rishi Sunak's policy revamp

It represents a two point drop for Labour and a three point increase for the Tories.

The Opinium poll for The Observer interviewed 3,016 adults from September 27 to September 29.

The polling boost comes ahead of the Conservative Party gathering in Manchester this week for its annual conference.

Politicians and party members are meeting between Sunday and Wednesday where they will discuss the direction of the party and its future.

Arriving in the city last night alongside his wife, Sunak vowed to use the conference to set out his long-term vision for UK.

He said: “After nearly a year as Prime Minister, I’ve learnt that the political system incentivises the easy decision, not always the right one.

“At Conservative Party conference this week, we’ll show that can change.

“And we’ll do it by taking long-term decisions for a brighter future.”

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\u200bPrime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrived in Manchester last night

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The Prime Minister intends to use the conference to set out his long term vision for the Tories

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The Prime Minister had been under pressure from those within in party in recent weeks over concerns that he was failing to close the gap on Labour.

Yesterday leaked WhatsApp messages revealed some in the party have even considered ousting their leader.

Meanwhile, a group of influential Tory MPs signed a pledge vowing not to vote for any more tax rises due to concerns that the Government was not offering Conservative policies to voters.

Priti Patel told GB News: "The tax burden is now to 70 year high. That is unsustainable. And the people that pay the taxes are hard pressed Brits around the country.

"As Conservatives, we believe in lower taxes. As conservatives, we believe being on the side of hard-working households and families. As Conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration.

"The burden of tax has to start to come down. However, look at the cycle that we're in right now. We've got one more fiscal cycle potentially before general election."

Read more from GB News on the latest breaking news, developments, and unrivalled analysis at the Conservative Party Conference

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