Student support for Labour plummets to four-year low

SUPPORT for the Labour Party among students has dropped to its lowest level in four years, a survey suggests.

Backing for the party among students in the UK has almost halved in just 18 months, according to a poll commissioned by Times Higher Education (THE).

The Youthsight survey shows that only 38 per cent of those who are eligible and likely to vote would vote Labour, down from more than 70 per cent in February last year. This is Labour’s lowest share of the student vote since April 2015, Youthsight said.

The drop could potentially be connected to Labour’s ambiguous policy on Brexit over the past year. The survey suggests a surge in support for Remain parties, such as the Liberal Democrats.

Youthsight found that backing for the Lib Dems has recovered since the near collapse of support among students in 2010 over its U-turn on fees. Overall, around 19 per cent of those questioned would back the Lib Dems.

The Conservatives have around 12 per cent of the student vote share, the latest poll found, while the Green Party has 18 per cent, the SNP 3 per cent and the Brexit Party 4 per cent.

Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, told the THE: “The Liberal Democrat revival is mostly based on Remain voters; (they) have hardly picked up a single Leave voter during the course of this year.

“What isn’t clear is that the Liberal Democrats have gained ground among young people in particular.

The survey also gives favourability ratings for party leaders. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has the highest score at plus 2 per cent, but this is down from plus 35 per cent in February 2018.

New Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson is on minus 6 per cent. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, has a net favourability score of minus 55 per cent.