The Liberal Democrats have received a significant bounce in the opinion polls following Nick Clegg’s performance in the UK’s first leaders’ debates
One survey put the Lib Dems in the lead for the first time in decades. A BPIX poll for the Mail on Sunday suggested support for Mr Clegg’s party has soared 12 points to 32%, while the Conservatives dropped to 31% and Labour trailed on 28%.
Three other polls also showed increasing support for the Lib Dems as Gordon Brown admitted the debate had thrown the race “wide open”.
In the Independent on Sunday, a ComRes poll will show the Tories on 31, the Lib Dems second on 29 and Labour in third place on 27.
A YouGov poll conducted after the leaders went head-to-head on television gave the Conservatives 33, Labour 30 and the Lib Dems on 29.
An ICM survey for the Telegraph put the Tories on 34, Labour on 29 and the Lib Dems just behind on 27. Conducted before the debate but after the manifesto launches, it suggests momentum was building for Mr Clegg even before his widely-complimented performance.