Conservatives extend poll lead over Labour despite party's civil war over Brexit deal
2 min read
The Conservatives have extended their lead over Labour to five points despite major splits within the party over Brexit, according to a new poll.
The latest YouGov study for The Times found 40% of voters would back the Tories in a general election, up one point on a week ago.
Over the same period, support for Labour has dropped by one point to 35%. The Lib Dems, meanwhile, are on 10% - up two points from last week.
The findings came in the wake of further Conservative in-fighting over Brexit, with 100 Tory MPs going public to say they will vote against Theresa May's deal when it comes before the Commons on 11 December.
In a further boost for the Prime Minister, the poll also found growing support in the country for the withdrawal agreement she struck with Brussels.
Although 45% still oppose it, that is down from 51% in mid-November. And backing for the deal has gone up from 15% to 27%.
The poll's findings are a blow for Jeremy Corbyn, who has said Labour will try to force a general election if Mrs May's deal is defeated in the Commons.
The Prime Minister is expected to go head-to-head with Mr Corbyn in a televised debate just days before the meaningful vote by MPs on her agreement.
Elsewhere, the poll found that 36% of people believe Theresa May would be the better Prime Minister, compared to 23% for Mr Corbyn. However, 38% said they did not know.
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