THE Conservatives have soared to an 11-point lead over Labour, according to a new UK-wide opinion poll carried out as Theresa May began her first full week as Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn faced a coup attempt from MPs.
In terms of voting intentions the survey put the Tories on 40 per cent – 10 points up on the last such poll in April – while Labour are down four points on 29 per cent.
As May took part in her debut session of Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, the SNP mocked her assertion that “Brexit means Brexit” by insisting that “remain means remain” in Scotland.
The party’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson played on the premier’s repeated rhetoric to underline that Scotland would fight to stay within the European Union.
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He drew on support from the German government to remain a member of the union, as he pressed May on her recent visit to Scotland.
“German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has already confirmed how Scotland is able to remain in the European Union,” said Robertson.
“Did you discuss this when you met with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon when you were in Edinburgh, and will you do everything to ensure that remain means remain for Scotland?”
May replied: “As I’ve been very clear, the Union is very important to me and I was also clear with the First Minister that I think there are some ideas being put forward that are impractical, but I am willing to listen to the options that are bought forward and we will be engaging fully with all the devolved administrations.”
In a tongue-in-cheek exchange, Robertson asked the PM to extend his party’s thanks to the German government for supporting Scotland’s position ahead of her first visit to the country later yesterday afternoon.
He said: “Germany has the highest level of support of any European continental country for Scotland remaining in the European Union.
“Would you thank Chancellor Merkel for the interest of the members of her Government and members of the Bundestag, their interest in having Scotland remaining within the EU?
“And will you assure the Chancellor and other heads of state and government that we in Scotland will do everything, everything, that is necessary for us to remain in the EU?”
May replied: “I do find it a little confusing given that only two years ago in the Scottish referendum the Scottish National Party was campaigning for Scotland to leave the UK which would have meant them leaving the European Union.”
Earlier at PMQs May lost no time in exploiting Corbyn’s lack of support among his MPs – who have triggered a leadership challenge to him following a no confidence vote.
Watched by her husband Philip in a side gallery, the Tory leader repeatedly attacked Corbyn, saying she hopes she is answering questions from him “for many years to come”.
Corbyn questioned May about her commitment to home ownership, ending insecure work and also about Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s description in 2008 of black people as “piccaninnies”.
May ignored Johnson’s comments, for which he apologised many years ago, and again made light of Labour’s turmoil.
“You refer to the situation of some workers who might have some job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses,” she said.
“I suspect there are many members on the Opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss; a boss who doesn’t listen to his workers; a boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload; and maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.
“Remind him of anybody?”
Corbyn took his time before replying as Tory MPs cheered May’s remarks.
The Labour leader said: “We’re sent here to represent people and there are many people in this country struggling with insecure jobs with low wages.
“I know this is very funny for all Conservative members, but I don’t suppose that there are too many Conservative MPs who have to go to a food bank in order to supplement their family table every week.
“I think we should reflect on those things.”
Yesterday’s YouGov poll suggested Labour may be paying the price for the continuing turmoil over Corbyn’s leadership.
The poll also has Ukip sharply down on 12 per cent – an eight-point fall since April – while the pro-EU Liberal Democrats have seen a three-point pick-up to nine per cent.
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