Metro opinion poll encouraging for Liberal Democrats

An opinion poll conducted for and reported in this morning's Metro made good reading for the Liberal Democrats:

The Lib Dems are on 33 per cent, the Tories are on 21 per cent and Labour lag behind on 18 per cent.

Only ten per cent of readers intend to vote for a minority party while 17 per cent remain undecided.

When undecided voters are removed the Lib Dems are on 40 per cent, Conservatives are on 26 per cent and Labour are on 22 per cent.

Of course, we always like opinion polls that show our party in the lead, but this one is particularly encouraging for the Liberal Democrats.

Because this poll was taken among "fully employed 18 to 44-year-olds, who read Metro at least three times a week and live or work in a city".

This suggests we are winning popularity among just the sort of people who should be supporting us: young, educated, urban. Those with an historical turn of mind could see it as the re-emergence of Orpington Man.

If we are to continue to make progress as a party, we are going to have to strengthen this appeal to the liberally minded. That is why I was pleased Nick Clegg (against some people's expectations) did not make great use of our promise of an in-or-out referendum on the European Union - and not only because I have always been against the idea.

We should be seeking to win and consolidate the support of people who do approve of our EU membership, not seeking to placate those who will always be against the idea. And I say that as someone who is not the most enthusiastic Europeans in Lib Dem ranks.