Tories stretch ahead of rivals in Kent, poll shows

While Theresa May’s landslide victory might not be the foregone conclusion it seemed a month ago, Kent’s Tories appear to have no worries about losing their tight hold on the county.

An exclusive opinion poll for this paper shows that none of the 17 seats are really under threat, with 59% of people surveyed likely to vote Conservative – up from 39% in a similar poll in 2015.

Support for Ukip has dropped to 2% from the 24% who backed the party in the same survey two years ago.

Most are drifting back to the Tories, which could be telling in Canterbury and Whitstable, where the party has decided not to field a candidate and instead urged its supporters to vote for Conservative Sir Julian Brazier. It could also play a huge part in the North Thanet constituency, where Ukip polled a quarter of the vote in 2015.

The party has already been set back by its failure to hold on to any of the 17 seats it held on Kent County Council.

Labour will be buoyed by an uplift of eight percentage points to 30% since 2015.

The party’s focus on tuition fees and housing appears to be playing well with younger voters, with 42% of its supporters aged 18 to 34.

Almost two thirds of those surveyed back Mrs May’s pledge to bring in more grammar schools, although that is down 13% from 2015.

Opposition to selection through the 11-plus has also appeared to harden, with 26% against, compared with 10% two years ago.

The NHS and Brexit are the top two issues influencing voters, followed by the economy. Surprisingly, only 7% said immigration was their greatest concern.

‘The NHS and Brexit are the top two issues influencing voters’