Steep learning curve gives Corbyn the edge

THE United Kingdom holds a landmark poll on Thursday after an extraordinary election campaign. Since the snap ballot was called in April, polls have oscillated wildly with the opposition Labour Party making significant ground on the Conservatives which previously had held a commanding 20 percentage point lead.

In advance of Thursday, polls now offer a confused picture on the state of play with a number indicating that the race may be neck-and-neck, while others point to a single-digit or low double-digit Conservative lead. With a range of potential outcomes now possible, much will depend on turnout, especially among younger voters who tend to support Labour in larger numbers.

Part of the reason why the Conservatives have lost ground during the campaign is perceptions of the performance of the party leader and Prime Minister Theresa May. According to Ipsos Mori, her approval rating has fallen off a cliff to just over 40 per cent. This is now around the same level as that of the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose own ratings have improved significantly in the last few weeks.