Boris surges ahead in poll

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The latest YouGov poll for the Standard shows the Conservative candidate is 11 points ahead on first preference votes - and 10 points ahead in the crucial second preference category.

The survey puts Mr Johnson on 46 per cent to Mr Livingstone's 35 per cent of first preference votes, while in an almost inevitable run-off, Mr Johnson would secure 55 per cent to 45 per cent for his Labour rival.

But the key factor in the contest is likely to be the large number of undecided voters. YouGov found that when people were asked to choose solely between Mr Livingstone and his main rival, the gap narrowed. Some 46 per cent backed Mr Johnson, while 41 per cent backed the Mayor. Yet 13 per cent said they still "don't know".

Mr Livingstone will spend the final days of his campaign on his message that Mr Johnson is not up to the job and will unveil a new poster with the slogan: "Imagine Boris Johnson in charge of London's £39billion transport budget. Suddenly he's not so funny." Yet the Mayor said he would offer his defeated rivals - including Mr Johnson - jobs in his new administration. "I would genuinely want Boris to come in, take a job and get some experience," he said.

Mr Johnson was concentrating on keeping his advantage with his campaign on the need for change.

YouGov found that for the first time in weeks, the gap in the "run-off" between the two has widened - to 10 points compared with six last week. The poll shows Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick is still the most popular choice when it comes to second preferences. Some 36 per cent would give him their extra vote, compared with 15 per cent for Mr Johnson and 14 per cent for Mr Livingstone. The Greens pick up 15 per cent of second preferences.

The YouGov survey contradicts others in recent days suggesting Mr Livingstone was ahead in the race.

A spokeswoman for Mr Livingstone's campaign said: "This is a farcical poll which will do deep damage to the reputation of YouGov when the actual result is announced on 1 May."

A spokeswoman for the Back Boris campaign said: "This poll shows that every vote will count. If Londoners want a change in London, they have to vote for it this Thursday."

YouGov polled a total of 1,138 people online between 23-25 April.