MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

British Tories 18 points ahead of Labour, show latest poll

David Cameron, preparing to become the next UK PM

British Conservatives have stretched their lead over Labour to 18 points, according to a new opinion poll. The ComRes survey put David Cameron's party on 42%, up six points on last month's poll, with Labour down one point on 24%.

If repeated at a General Election the opinion poll ratings would give Mr Cameron a Commons majority of 152, ComRes calculated.

The Liberal Democrats were on 18%, down one on last month, while other parties fell four points to 16%.

The poll, for The Independent newspaper, will further boost the Tories' hope of a general election victory following last week's by-election triumph in Norwich North.

ComRes interviewed 1,008 adults in Great Britain by telephone between July 24 and 26.