Latest Populus, Ashcroft and YouGov polls

We have our usual rush of Monday polls today, all showing a slightly healthier Labour lead than of late.

The first of Populus's two twice weekly polls had topline figures of CON 31%, LAB 36%, LDEM 9%, UKIP 15%, GRN 5% (tabs). Populus's average so far this month has been CON 34%, LAB 36%, LDEM 9%, UKIP 13%, so this has the Conservatives a little lower than usual, UKIP a little higher than usual.

Lord Ashcroft's weekly poll had topline figures of CON 27%, LAB 32%, LDEM 7%, UKIP 18%, GRN 7% (tabs). Compared to his recent polls this has the Conservatives down a tad, Labour and UKIP both up a tad.

The daily YouGov poll for the Sun has topline figures of CON 30%, LAB 34%, LDEM 6%, UKIP 18%, GRN 6%. YouGov's average figures so far this month have been CON 33%, LAB 33%, LDEM 7%, UKIP 16% - so again, the Conservatives lower than usual, UKIP higher than usual.

None of the figures are different enough from recent polls to be sure the difference isn't just normal sample variation, but the fact all three are showing a shift in the same direction (Conservatives down, UKIP up) means it's possible we are seeing a bit of a publicity boost for UKIP following Rochester & Strood last week. Time will tell. Note also what it doesn't show - any decrease in Labour's support following several days of fussing about White Vans and Emily Thornberry.

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