𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Tories have overtaken Reform UK in a new poll for the first time in 18 months in a huge boost to Kemi Badenoch. The survey by More in Commons puts the Conservatives and Nigel Farage’s party within one point of each other.

Labour is in the lead on 26%, down one point from the week before, as the party enjoys a bounce under Andy Burnham. The Tories are up one point in second place on 23%, while Reform are down one point on 22%. The Lib Dems are on 11%, Zack Polanski’s Green Party is on 9%, while Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain takes 4%.

More in Common’s UK director Luke Tryl said: “Obviously, these are margin of error changes, and we should expect things to fluctuate over conference season.

“But this is the highest Conservative vote share since January of this year, and Reform’s lowest in 18 months (though we have only been prompting Restore for 2 weeks, which will affect this).”

A senior Tory source hit out at Reform, saying: “It’s still a long way to go, but it’s now clear Reform are going backwards.

“A pointless by-election vs a bin, chronic infighting, and still no answers on the fishy £5m personal donation; Farage is floundering and his party has now slipped to third in the polls.

“It’s surely only a matter of time before Farage decides to throw in the towel.”

The polling gave Mr Burnham a net approval rating of 13, while Mrs Badenoch has a score of one, and Mr Farage is on minus 27.

It comes after the Conservative leader carried out a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet as she prepares for a possible early general election.

There is ongoing speculation that Mr Burnham, who entered No 10 in July, could go to the country before 2029.

Meanwhile, Mr Farage returned to Parliament today after winning his “people versus the establishment” by-election in Clacton.

The Reform UK leader triggered the contest amid scrutiny over his financial affairs, including a row over a £5 million gift.

Mr Farage, who has denied any wrongdoing, won more votes than he did at the 2024 general election in the by-election, which was snubbed by the major parties.

More in Common polled 3,250 people from August 28-31.