Lib Dem poll boost ahead of Thursday's crucial elections

4.17.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Jun 2009

The Liberal Democrats have received a major boost ahead of this week's crucial local and European elections. According to a new poll, the party has pushed Labour into third place nationwide.

The ICM poll for the Telegraph (http://is.gd/KWmr) has the Lib Dems 3% ahead of Labour.

The Observer newspaper has called on people to back the Lib Dems on Thursday. They said (http://is.gd/KWwS) "On the environment, on civil liberties and on the mounting debt bubble, the Lib Dems were quietly but consistently ahead of the Westminster curve."

"Likewise on transparency. In 2007, they opposed the Conservative move, tacitly encouraged by Labour, to exempt Parliament from the Freedom of Information Act. The Lib Dems alone took a party line for openness."

"A credible record of support for transparency and for constitutional reform reflects well on Nick Clegg's team"

"This Thursday's vote is being held in a uniquely febrile climate. It should be about Europe; it will be about the expenses scandal. On both counts, it is a moment to reward the principled consistency of the Liberal Democrats."