ICM marginals poll puts Tories at 6% Posted by Sophy at 12 52 AM on Sunday, April 11

TWO thirds of voters in battleground seats across the country think it’s time for a change, an exclusive News of the World poll reveals.

But Tory leader David Cameron is so far only on course for a six per cent swing — not enough to make him Prime Minister.

An ICM survey of the 96 marginal constituencies where the election will be won or lost points to a hung parliament.

Cameron has slipped behind after a surprise surge in support for the Lib Dems. Our poll shows Nick Clegg’s party up five per cent since January and closer than ever to holding the balance of power.

The Tories have had the best start to the campaign, but nearly half of those likely to cast a vote are still waiting to make up their minds. The poll’s projected seats are: Con 308; Lab 248; Lib Dem 61.

The following seats would go to the Tories but they would not get an overall majority: Eltham, Bedford, Brigg & Goole, Stevenage, Ross & Darwen, Halifax, Dudley S, Northampton N, Westminster S, Blackpool N & Cleveleys, Wirral S, Leicester NW, Lincoln, Nuneaton, Bolton W, Halesowen & Rowley Regis, Dover, Gedling, Keighley, Carlisle, Bolton NE, Plymouth Sutton & Devonport, Dewsbury, Warrington S, Pudsey, Stirling, Dudley N, Elmet & Rothwell, Poplar & Limehouse, Reading W and Tynemouth.

Martin Boon of ICM said: “The results show the Lib Dems are powering back into the equation in the marginals largely at the expense of the Tories. Although the Tories still hold a six per cent swing from Labour in these seats, this is smaller than the eight per cent back in January. A hung parliament is a real prospect.”

But with the election less than four weeks away, people are still deciding which way to go. Only 42 per cent have made up their mind and another 31 per cent say they will not decide until closer to polling day. And four in ten Lib Dems voters are prepared to vote tactically to keep out the party they like least.

The Tories have narrow leads on financial matters — managing the economy (2-point lead), jobs and prosperity (4-point) and taxation and public services (1-point).

Labour leads on the NHS by 10 points, education by 3 points, transport by 5 points and Europe by 3 points. Yet David Cameron holds a 13-point lead on being the best PM.

And the greatest boost from this poll for Mr Cameron is the fact that 66 per cent of voters want a change — as we found when our political team toured five key constituencies below.

LATEST bookies odds: Tories 1/7; Labour, 4/1; Lib Dems 200-1. Hung Parliament: 13/8.

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