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London mayor election: Johnson six points ahead of Livingstone in poll London mayor election: Johnson six points ahead of Livingstone in poll
(about 1 hour later)
Ken Livingstone is trailing Boris Johnson by six percentage points in the contest for London mayor, according to a ComRes poll for the Evening Standard, London Tonight and LBC.Ken Livingstone is trailing Boris Johnson by six percentage points in the contest for London mayor, according to a ComRes poll for the Evening Standard, London Tonight and LBC.
The survey suggests the Conservative candidate has 53% support compared with 47% for his Labour counterpart on a second round of voting, with no winner after the first round.The survey suggests the Conservative candidate has 53% support compared with 47% for his Labour counterpart on a second round of voting, with no winner after the first round.
The deficit is probably recoverable in the final month of the campaign although some of the underlying figures look ominous for Livingstone as he prepares to launch his manifesto on Wednesday.The deficit is probably recoverable in the final month of the campaign although some of the underlying figures look ominous for Livingstone as he prepares to launch his manifesto on Wednesday.
The extent of Johnson's lead was revealed after ComRes released revised figures for the poll. They had initially given Johnson a 50% to 46% advantage. Some other data was also amended after the polling company said there had been a weighting error.The extent of Johnson's lead was revealed after ComRes released revised figures for the poll. They had initially given Johnson a 50% to 46% advantage. Some other data was also amended after the polling company said there had been a weighting error.
In a previous ComRes poll, Livingstone was two points behind, although a YouGov poll put him eight points behind. In a previous ComRes poll, Livingstone was two points ahead, although a YouGov poll put him eight points behind.
Livingstone and Johnson have rowed over their personal tax payments, an argument that became highly personal when the two clashed in a lift over mutual accusations of hypocrisy.Livingstone and Johnson have rowed over their personal tax payments, an argument that became highly personal when the two clashed in a lift over mutual accusations of hypocrisy.
The poll found 48% of people interviewed were less likely to vote for Livingstone following the row.The poll found 48% of people interviewed were less likely to vote for Livingstone following the row.
Overall, before the set-to in the lift the two main rivals were neck and neck – each polling 48% – but afterwards the mayor opened up a large lead of 58% to 36%.Overall, before the set-to in the lift the two main rivals were neck and neck – each polling 48% – but afterwards the mayor opened up a large lead of 58% to 36%.
The sample size for these two findings was not available.The sample size for these two findings was not available.
In inner London, Livingstone is ahead on 60%, compared with Johnson's 40%, but his rating has shrunk since January when he was on 68%. Much will depend on the propensity of voters in inner and outer London to turn out to vote. Labour claims to have a better "get out the vote" operation.In inner London, Livingstone is ahead on 60%, compared with Johnson's 40%, but his rating has shrunk since January when he was on 68%. Much will depend on the propensity of voters in inner and outer London to turn out to vote. Labour claims to have a better "get out the vote" operation.
Johnson is still well ahead in outer London, where he is polling 60% to his rival's 40%. Johnson appears to be outperforming the Conservative party as a whole among his voters, with 28% saying they liked the mayor but not his party, according to the survey.Johnson is still well ahead in outer London, where he is polling 60% to his rival's 40%. Johnson appears to be outperforming the Conservative party as a whole among his voters, with 28% saying they liked the mayor but not his party, according to the survey.
Livingstone, on the other hand, continues to be less popular than his party. Just 14% of his backers said they liked him but not Labour, while 17% said it was the other way round. Much of his deficit relates to the willingness of older voters to back Johnson, even though Livingstone is the older of the two main candidates.Livingstone, on the other hand, continues to be less popular than his party. Just 14% of his backers said they liked him but not Labour, while 17% said it was the other way round. Much of his deficit relates to the willingness of older voters to back Johnson, even though Livingstone is the older of the two main candidates.
Johnson is more trusted among 32% of respondents to deliver on his promises, while just 26% trust his main rival more. More than a quarter of Londoners trust neither candidate.Johnson is more trusted among 32% of respondents to deliver on his promises, while just 26% trust his main rival more. More than a quarter of Londoners trust neither candidate.
Among Lib Dem voters at the last general election, Livingstone is more popular than Johnson by 46% to 33%.Among Lib Dem voters at the last general election, Livingstone is more popular than Johnson by 46% to 33%.
This will be a concern for Johnson's campaign, given the historical importance of second preference votes.This will be a concern for Johnson's campaign, given the historical importance of second preference votes.
The poll suggests that in the first round of voting, 46% of Londoners would back Johnson, 41% Livingstone, 6% Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick and 4% Green party candidate Jenny Jones. The independent candidate Siobhan Benita is also standing, as well as Ukip and BNP candidates.The poll suggests that in the first round of voting, 46% of Londoners would back Johnson, 41% Livingstone, 6% Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick and 4% Green party candidate Jenny Jones. The independent candidate Siobhan Benita is also standing, as well as Ukip and BNP candidates.