Labour ahead of Tories for first time since Starmer became leader, according to new poll

The Labour Party has overtaken the Tories for the first time since Sir Keir Starmer became leader, according to a new poll.

Sir Keir, who became the Labour leader in April, has given the party a three point increase in a fortnight, putting them on 42 per cent, according to a poll by Opinium for the Observer.

The Conservatives are on 39 per cent, a drop of three points.

It also marks the first time Labour has been ahead of the Government since early July 2019, when Theresa May's time in office was coming to an end.

The poll also suggested 55 per cent of voters believe Sir Keir is ready to be prime minister, and 40 per cent believe Labour is ready to form the next government.

It is the latest poll to suggest unease among voters at Boris Johnson's handling of the coronavirus crisis.

In the early stages of the pandemic, 65 per cent of voters surveyed backed the Government's handling of Covid-19, but the latest poll suggested only 30 per cent now approve.