Sadiq Khan eight points ahead of Zac Goldsmith in new poll

Zac Goldsmith faces the political fight of his life to become Mayor after Sadiq Khan extended his lead

among first preference votes to eight points, according to a new poll.

With less than five weeks before polling day, the exclusive Opinium survey for the Standard showed

growing first preference support for Labour contender Mr Khan particularly in inner London.

Conservative Mr Goldsmith clawed back lost ground by winning over more voters in Outer London.

He also gained a greater share of second preference votes compared to last month.

The changes suggested the final result could be heading for a 54-46 per cent win by Tooting MP Mr

Khan – almost the same margin as in March’s poll when the split was 55-45.

However, with 24 per cent of voters still “don’t know” on first preferences, including nearly a third of

women, the battle to succeed Boris Johnson as Mayor is still wide open, especially as Mr Goldsmith

is gaining the trust of more Londoners on key issues, according to the poll.

Both sides can take some heart from the latest findings.

The poll put Mr Khan on 35 per cent of first preference votes, up four points, compared to Richmond

Park MP Mr Goldsmith on 27 per cent, up one.

The growing gap, which was five points last month, is mainly down to a surge in support for Mr Khan

in inner London, jumping from 37 per cent last month to 45 per cent.

Looking across the capital, his support went up sharply among 18 to 24-year-olds and 25 to 34-year-

olds, though the sample sizes are small.

Mr Khan, though, appears to be making less progress in winning over first preference votes in outer

London, the crucial battlegrounds which swept Mr Johnson to victory.

While Mr Goldsmith is succeeding in wooing more voters in outer London, and also 18 to 24-year-

olds, but falling back in the inner city area.

His support in outer London rose from 27 per cent to 30 per cent, but dropped by the same margin

in inner.

However, the percentages of Londoners who trust him on public transport fares and reliability rose

five points.

While it went up four points on housing, reducing crime, the environment and clean air,

unemployment, attracting business and investment to London, and dealing with trade unions on

public transport, and three points on airport expansion including Heathrow.