Tories take poll lead over Starmer’s Labour

Kemi Badenoch’s Tories have overtaken Labour for the first time in three years on The Spectator Data Hub’s poll tracker. This morning’s update gives the Conservatives a one-point lead over Keir Starmer’s Labour after a steady upward trend since July’s election.

Steerpike wonders how much is down to Rishi Sunak's surprisingly successful stint as leader of the opposition, Badenoch's first few weeks in the job or Starmer's ever sinking satisfaction ratings. The leftie leader now finds himself with more than half the country seeing him 'unfavourably' and with a net satisfaction rating of -29.

Meanwhile, Mr S's gambling friends note that both Badenoch and Starmer only have 50/50 odds at the bookies' of leading their parties into the next election. Has that ever been the case for both party leaders before?