Nick Clegg could lose his seat, two polls suggest
Two separate polls appear to show that Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg is trailing Labour in his Sheffield Hallam constituency.
Data released this week from the two polls – one conducted by Survation on behalf of Unite, and one commissioned by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft – show the Lib Dem leader behind, just three months before the General Election.
The Survation poll – which was conducted on 22-26 January – showed Labour PPC Oliver Coppard on 33%, with the Lib Dem leader on 23%, the Conservatives on 22%, the Greens on 12% and UKIP on 9%.
Just days later, Lord Ashcroft released more data from a November poll – which had initially showed the Deputy Prime Minister on course to hold the constituency.
The Tory peer’s poll now shows a modest lead for Labour in the seat, on 30%, with Clegg three points behind on 27%, the Tories on 19%, UKIP on 13% and the Green party on 10%.
Mr Clegg is a regular contributor to PinkNews – and is a strong advocate for LGBT rights and for same-sex marriage.
Before Lord Ashcroft had released his data seemingly corroborating its findings, the Liberal Democrat leader had dismissed the Survation findings as “bilge”.
He told LBC: “Surprise, surprise, the trade union paymasters of the Labour party have come out with a poll showing Labour is ahead.
“Unlike these Unite bosses who pay for Labour candidates up and down the country, I am actually out and about knocking on doors in my wonderful constituency, in the most beautiful part of the north, southwest Sheffield.
“Of course there are some people who say I hate the Tories so much I’ll never forgive you for going into coalition.
“I try and explain to them no one won the election, it was the only way we could form a stable government and of course I’m not a Tory.”
