Tories handed fresh General Election hope as poll shows it's all still to play for

A new poll has given Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party a glimmer of hope ahead of the upcoming General Election as a significant number of voters are still undecided.

The research, shared with the Daily Mail, indicates that only 42 percent of voters have definitively decided how they will cast their vote.

This leaves a substantial portion of the electorate open to persuasion, offering the Tories a potential pathway to narrow the gap with Labour.

Currently, the Conservatives face an uphill battle, with the poll showing Labour holding a commanding 23-point lead. Labour is projected to secure 47 percent of the vote, compared to the Tories' 24 percent, with Reform UK trailing at 11 percent.

In terms of leadership, the poll suggests that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves are more trusted on economic matters than Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

Starmer is also seen as the preferred choice for prime minister by 37 percent of respondents, while only 19 percent back Sunak. However, nearly half of those surveyed remain uncertain about their choice.

Public perception of the leaders remains mixed. Starmer is often viewed as "dull" and "indecisive", whereas Sunak is criticised for being "out of touch" and "out of his depth".

A significant portion of the electorate, 63 percent, expects Labour to win a majority, while a mere 5 percent foresee a Conservative majority.

The indecision among voters is notable, with 27 percent indicating they are leaning towards a party but might change their minds, 13 percent admitting they are "completely undecided" but likely to vote, another 13 percent saying they "probably won't vote", and 5 percent unsure.

Even among 2019 Conservative voters who are now considering Labour, only 54 percent have firmly decided on their vote. This presents an opportunity for Sunak to appeal to these wavering voters and close the gap as election day approaches on July 4.

Key issues influencing voter decisions include the NHS and social care, the cost of living, and immigration and asylum policies.

Among those planning to vote Conservative or for Reform UK, immigration is a particularly pressing concern, with 75 percent and 90 percent respectively citing it as a major issue.

In contrast, 77 percent of Labour supporters view immigration as a distraction from the real issue of underfunding public services.

The poll underscores the necessity for Sunak to deliver a compelling message on migration to win back potential voters from Reform UK.

Meanwhile, findings suggest that the timing of the election announcement was unlikely to impact the outcome significantly, with only 9 percent believing that a later date would have been more favourable for the Tories.

The Conservatives have been active in their campaign, making bold promises such as reintroducing National Service, eliminating "rip-off" degrees, and implementing a "triple lock plus" for pensions.

These proposals have resonated particularly well with older voters, a demographic at risk of shifting their support to Reform UK.

However, Nigel Farage's party continues to challenge the Tories, particularly on immigration, recently proposing an employer immigration tax aimed at non-British workers.

The poll was conducted from May 24 to May 28 by Lord Ashcroft with a sample of 4,828 participants. An earlier poll by JL Partners showed Labour's lead shrinking to 12 points, whereas a recent YouGov survey for the Times indicated a 25-point lead for Labour.