Overview

• A new BMG Research poll for The i Paper places Reform at 35%, Labour at 20% and the Conservatives in the high teens, marking Reform’s largest lead in the series.
• Pollsters say that if the figures persist, pressure will grow for changes in strategy and potentially leadership within the major parties.
• The polling followed Farage’s pledge to deport 600,000 people over five years under Operation Restoring Justice, with 39% of voters saying the goal seems achievable and 29% saying it does not.
• Voters now trust Reform far more than Labour or the Conservatives to handle small boats crossings, by 41% to 14% and 8% respectively.
• The Archbishop of York criticised the deportation plan as a kneejerk move that fails to offer a long-term solution to migration pressures.