Support for the anti-EU UK Independence Party has hit 15 percent, more than half that enjoyed by the Conservative Party, according to a poll published in Sunday’s Observer.
Labour maintained its 10 percent lead in the latest Opinium/Observer poll while support for coalition partners the Liberal Democrats sunk to eight percent.
But Labour strategists may have hoped for more than 39 percent support and a widening lead as the economy continues to flounder.
The latest figures cap off a remarkable year for UKIP, who started 2012 with around 4.5 percent support.
However, the eurozone crisis and outrage over a local council’s decision to remove foster children from their parents due to their UKIP membership have helped boost Nigel Farage’s party.
UKIP support at 15 percent: poll
