Poll: Ukip surges ahead of Lib Dems

Dec 15 2012

The UK Independence Party has surged to a record poll rating - knocking the Liberal Democrats back into fourth place.

The ComRes poll for The Independent on Sunday and the Sunday Mirror puts Ukip on 14% - a six-point gain on last month and the party's highest rating in a ComRes poll.

The findings will alarm Tory MPs who fear the party is haemorrhaging support over issues such as Europe, the economy and its support for gay marriage.

The poll put the Conservatives on 28%, down three points from a month ago and 11 points behind Labour, who are down four on 39%.