Islington South tipped to turn Lib Dem, latest poll confirms

5.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 26th Sep 2008

Bridget Fox: tipped to win

A new national poll predicting a wipeout for Labour at the next general election, is the latest to predict that Islington South and Finsbury will fall to the Liberal Democrats. This new poll of marginal constituencies confirms that the Tories are out of the race in Islington.

The poll, published on the PoliticsHome website, was based on work carried out by YouGov. Most opinion polls give national figures which do not translate easily into Parliamentary seats. This poll is different as it is based exclusively on key voters in the most marginal seats. It therefore gives a clear idea of what would happen if a general election were held now.

The poll predicts a swing away from Labour of 14.5 per cent in London commuter-belt seats, 10.5 for outer London and 9.5 for inner London. Labour is predicted to lose six seats in London, including Battersea, Poplar and Limehouse, Tooting - and Islington South and Finsbury. Islington South is one of the most marginal seats in the country, with Labour's majority just 484 votes at the last General Election.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Bridget Fox said:

"This new poll confirmed what Islington residents tell me every week. Emily Thornberry may be Gordon Brown's number one fan, but local people are not. Voters are rejecting Labour. And even though the Tories have made progress elsewhere, they simply can't win here.

"Labour are finished across the country. Voters are turning to the Liberal Democrats to give a strong, independent voice for Islington in the face of a possible Cameron government."