UKIP is set to win at least two seats in next year’s General Election, a poll found today.
A survey of 14,000 people in key marginals found the party had pulled ahead in Kent seats Thurrock, where it polled 36 per cent, and Thanet South, where it was on 33 per cent. Ukip came second in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, with 31 per cent.
The poll suggests Ukip is attracting more potential Labour supporters than Conservative voters in the 14 target battlegrounds. Leader Nigel Farage is expected to stand in Thanet East.
But the poll showed support was patchy in some areas. Among London seats, Ukip scored nine per cent in Hendon — the lowest share in the 14 marginals tested.
The research was carried out for Conservative donor Lord Ashcroft and suggested Labour would win a small overall majority in the May election, taking 53 seats from the Tories.
The Liberal Democrats were down 11 points to four in the marginal seats tested. The Tories were down nine points to 31 per cent, while Labour were unchanged on 38 per cent.
