Labour leads in London but Greens could derail a Miliband victory
Labour could be on course to win eight of its London target seats, according to a new poll released today.
Historically a Labour city, a good performance in London is crucial to a Labour win in May. According to a YouGov poll conducted for the Evening Standard puts Labour 10 points ahead of the Tories in the capital at 42 per cent.
The Lib Dems are stuck in the doldrums with a mere seven per cent, behind both Ukip and the Greens. If today's poll were borne out on election day, the Tories could lose Hendon, Enfield North, Brentford and Isleworth, Croyden Central, Harrow East, Ealing Central and Acton.
With all national polls pointing to hung parliament, every seat will count. On the Lib Dem side of the ledger, a race to watch on election night will Lib Dem stalwart and justice minister Simon Hughes' seat in Bermondsey and Old Southwark.
Hughes took the seat in 1983 in a controversial and bitterly fought campaign against Labour candidate and gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. It would be quite a scalp for Labour if the seat turns red in May. However, Labour may not be doing as well in the capital as the numbers initially suggest.
Anthony Wells, of YouGov, told the Evening Standard:
Labour is set to gain its easier targets across London in May. However, unlike in 2010, when it did better in the capital than the rest of the country, it shows no signs of out-performing in London.
The rise of the Green party could also prove a major obstacle to Labour's electoral ambitions. Over the weekend, a study by Robert Ford of the University of Manchester, suggested the Greens could threaten a Labour victory in 22 seats, 11 of which are in London.
These seats include top target seats like Hendon and Ealing Central & Acton.