Labour slips in latest poll

Labour’s popularity has fallen in the latest Newshub Reid Research poll.

It is sitting at 41.6 per cent, down 9.2 per cent in the latest poll. The National Party’s support rose to 43.9, up 6.5 per cent.

That makes National the largest party but it still would not have the numbers to form a government.

The poll would likely mean the next Government would be led by Labour and backed by the Greens, whose polling held firm at 6.3 per cent.

Labour’s current coalition partner, NZ First would be out of Parliament, with the party polling at 4 per cent, up 1.2 per cent on the last poll.

This poll is unlikely to bother NZ First too much, as the party typically polls poorly between elections.

ACT performed well in the poll, getting

1.4 per cent of the vote. That would see the party’s representation double to two seats, assuming David Seymour retains his Epsom seat.

Seymour is possibly reaping the rewards of his work on the End of Life Choice Bill and his criticism of the Government’s gun control measures.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also suffered a drop in support as preferred prime minister, although she is still well ahead of National leader Simon Bridges. Her support is down 10.6 points to

38.4 per cent, while Bridges was up 2.5 per cent to 6.7 per cent.

The drop in support could be a response to some of the crises Labour Party has weathered over the past months, including its handling of a sexual assault complaint made against one of its staffers.