Lobbyists predict a majority for Blair

Labour is poised to win the election by a significant margin, according to a poll of Westminster lobbyists.

On the eve of the general election being called, the survey shows that the lobbying industry is preparing for a 70-plus Labour majority.

The survey, commissioned by ePolitix.com and conducted by CommunicateResearch, asked public affairs professionals and  lobbyists who they thought would win the likely May 5 poll. 

Some 92 per cent of respondents said they expected a Labour victory and the average forecast was just over 70 seats.

Just six per cent of respondents forecast a majority for Michael Howard's Conservative Party.

The poll of political professionals tallies with the most recent opinion polls which roughly equate to a Labour majority of between 70 and 100 seats.