The Conservatives and Labour stand neck and neck as they head into a five-and-a-half week general election campaign that will decide who governs the country after 7 May.
The last Opinium poll before Monday’s dissolution of parliament and the start of the “short campaign” puts the Tories on 34% (down 2pts since a week ago) and just one point ahead of Labour who are unchanged on 33%.
Ukip is down one point at 13%, while the Liberal Democrats are up one on 8%. The Greens are also up one on 7%, while the SNP is unchanged on 3%.
The poll was taken on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, before the Channel 4/Sky television grilling of David Cameron and Ed Miliband by Jeremy Paxman.
The results are broadly in line with other polls in recent weeks, which have suggested the country is on course for another hung parliament.
David Cameron’s net personal rating has gone into positive territory for the first time in recent years. 42% of voters approve of his performance as prime minister against 41% who disapprove.
Miliband’s ratings have improved from -24 pts last weekend to -21 this weekend. Nigel Farage is on -24% and Nick Clegg on -40%.
Voters were also asked about the parties’ campaigning methods (see graphic below). On the impact of the campaign so far, nearly half of voters (47%) said they had received leaflets from or about a candidate.
Some 57% of those who had received leaflets said they had got one from Labour against 47% who had received one from the Tories. 50% of those who had experienced canvassing on the doorstep said this was by Labour members and 38% said it was by Conservatives.
Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 1,959 GB adults aged 18+ from 24 to 25 March 2015. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.
