Reform holds on to five-point poll lead as dust settles after local elections - despite Keir Starmer's desperate attempt to woo back voters
Reform is holding on to a five-point lead despite Keir Starmer 's desperate efforts to win back voters, according to a poll today.
YouGov research has put Nigel Farage 's party on 28 per cent - down one since last week. Labour has gained one to reach 23 per cent, with both changes within the margin of error.
The Tories were languishing on just 18 per cent, having barely improved their standing.
The survey was carried out on Sunday and Monday, partly before the PM formally unveiled his 'island of strangers' crackdown on immigration.
However, the measures were widely trailed over the weekend.
Panic has been mounting in Labour circles about the rising threat from Reform, which picked up 10 councils, two mayoralties and the previously safe Commons seat of Runcorn on May 1.
Sir Keir has insisted he 'gets' the message from voters, and has been stepping up his rhetoric on immigration. He also hailed a trade deal with the US to help revive the stalling economy.
The survey was carried out on Sunday and Monday, partly before Keir Starmer (pictured) formally unveiled his 'island of strangers' crackdown on immigration. However, the measures were widely trailed over the weekend.
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden told a behind closed-doors meeting of MPs last week that the party is facing the 'fight of our lives'.
But factions are at odds over how to respond to the surge.
The Labour Growth Group, an influential caucus of new MPs, has sounded the alarm that Mr Farage will become PM unless the UK gets out of an 'economic doom loop'.
Chairman Chris Curtis told the Guardian: 'Britain is stuck in a complete economic doom loop. We've had low growth.
'That's led to pretty awful cuts. It's led to public services that are broken. And it's led to disillusionment and division among the country...
'Until we get out of that economic doom loop, Nigel Farage is going to become prime minister. I think the stakes are that high.'
The Red Wall group of MPs have demanded a 'break away from Treasury orthodoxy'.
Left-wingers have been calling for a 'wealth tax' to replace cuts to the winter fuel allowance and benefits.
There has also been a push from so-called 'Blue Labour' faction for a stronger crackdown on immigration.
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