Liberal Democrats top election poll as support for Tories and Labour plunges amid Brexit backlash

The Liberal Democrats have surged into first place ahead of the Tories and Labour in a poll on how Britons would vote if a general election was to be held now.

The pro-Remain party, which has campaigned for a fresh referendum, would emerge as the largest political party with 24 per cent of the vote, the poll showed.

Both the Tories and Labour would finish in third place with a backing of 19 per cent, the YouGov poll for The Times showed.

The fledgling Brexit Party, led by Nigel Farage, would finish second with 22 per cent.

Beneficiaries of the swing against the two main parties would be the political parties that took unequivocal positions for or against Brexit, the study indicated.

The results underscore the growing polarisation of British politics over Brexit, pointing to yet more uncertainty.

Tory Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to resign last week after three years of trying but failing to pull Britain out of the EU, setting off a contest to replace her.

YouGov’s poll is a further indication voters are looking away from the two main parties. The results come after the Brexit Party and Liberal Democrats were the big winners in the UK’s European elections.

On a dramatic night, the Conservative Party secured just 9.1 per cent of the vote – their worst ever national election share.

Labour also suffered a terrible night, finishing on 14.1 per cent, as voters split between the clear alternatives offered by Mr Farage’s party and the pro-EU Lib Dems.

Just four Conservatives were elected in England, Scotland and Wales, while the Brexit Party had 29 seats, overtaking the 24 MEPs that Mr Farage’s former party Ukip sent to the European Parliament in 2014.