Labour poll lead as student riots and cuts hit home

Labour has surged to a five-point lead following the London student march marred by violence, according to a new poll.

Experts say the growing support for Ed Miliband's party may also be due to the reality of the looming spending cuts starting to sink in.

Labour is now on 42 per cent, according to a YouGov poll published today, with the Conservatives on 37 per cent and Liberal Democrats on 10 per cent.

This compares with the Tories and Labour level-pegging on 40 per cent in a poll carried out last Wednesday, the day of the student demonstration, and Thursday. The Lib-Dems were still on 10 per cent.

Anthony Wells, associate director of YouGov, said: "It may be that the student protests crystalised opposition to the cuts and this is now being reflected in the polls."