Tories fall to fifth place in opinion polls as Nigel Farage’s Brexit party snaps up voters
The Conservatives have slumped to fifth place in an opinion poll ahead of the European elections later this month.
Read more: Cabinet allies begin to abandon May as Tories languish in polls
The Tories were placed at just 10 per cent, behind almost every major political party, according to a Yougov poll commissioned by the Times.
Nigel Farage’s Brexit party was in the lead, rising four percentage points to 34 per cent, while Labour fell five points to 16 per cent.
The Liberal Democrats and the Green party, both of which oppose the UK leaving the EU, were on 15 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.
The declining support for the Tories comes amid growing pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to set a date for her departure.
May has previously said she will step down when her Brexit deal is passed, but backbench MPs have called for a specific date.
The findings also reflect a shift away from the UK’s major political parties, just weeks after the Tories and Labour both suffered major losses in the local elections.
Asked how they would vote if a general election were called today, the respondents put Labour and the Conservative tied at 24 per cent, while the Lib Dems made major gains to come in at 16 per cent.
Read more: May to hold meeting with top Tory committee over her departure timetable
The findings come ahead of the European parliament elections, which will take place on 23 May.