23 Oct 2018

National drops below Labour in poll as Ross saga takes toll

6:47 pm on 23 October 2018

National has taken a hit in the latest political poll, dropping below Labour for the first time since the change of government.

National Party Leader, Simon Bridges, speaks to media about Jami-Lee Ross.

National Party leader Simon Bridges is down to 7 percent support as preferred prime minister, while Jacinda Ardern has 42 percent support. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

A OneNews Colmar Brunton poll has Labour up 3 percent to 45 percent, with National at 43 percent, down 2 percent.

The Green Party is up 1 percent to 7 percent and New Zealand First stays unchanged on 5 percent.

With 42 percent preferring Jacinda Ardern for Prime Minister, she has a huge margin over National's leader, Simon Bridges, who is down to 7 percent.

National MP Judith Collins is nipping at Mr Bridges' heels on 5 percent.

The poll was taken from Monday to Friday last week as the Jami-Lee Ross saga unfolded.

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