Over the last week many have spoken as if the London mayoral election is already over, with Boris Johnson guaranteed a second term in City Hall. But today’s YouGov/Evening Standard poll should change all that. The poll shows that Boris’s lead has fallen from six points to just two (51-49) as Labour voters return to Ken. It seems likely that support for Boris, who has so far successfullly differentiated himself from the Tories, has been hit by the government’s political woes. For David Cameron, who needs a Boris victory to ensure the Conservatives have something to celebrate after 3 May, it is a worrying development.
Of course, a lead of two points is still a lead. But with Labour now 19 points ahead of the Tories in London, Ken has the potential to dramatically expand his support in the remaining ten days of the campaign.