Kemi Badenoch scores poll bounce from Tory conference after vow to slash inheritance tax... as snap election fever grips Westminster

Kemi Badenoch looks to have secured a poll bounce from Tory conference as snap election fever grips Westminster. The Conservatives were up three points in the latest research from Opinium, giving an early sign that the leader's pledge to slash inheritance tax went down well with voters. A third of the public viewed Mrs Badenoch's big speech positively, more than double the 14 per cent who did not like it - although 54 per cent did not have a clear view. Labour maintained a significant lead in the survey, which was carried out between Wednesday and Friday last week. Andy Burnham 's party was on 29 per cent support, while Reform was down two points on the previous week to 23 per cent. That split could be enough to get a small majority at a general election , although it would be a huge gamble for the PM as the picture in individual seats is extremely volatile. Electoral Calculus estimates it might give Labour 336 MPs, the Tories 114 and Reform 105. Kemi Badenoch looks to have secured a poll bounce from Tory conference as snap election fever grips Westminster The Conservatives were up three points in the latest research from Opinium, giving an early sign that the leader's pledge to slash inheritance tax went down well with voters Mrs Badenoch has told the Mail on Sunday the Tories must be ready for an election 'at any point', dismissing Mr Burnham's desperate efforts to quash the idea Mrs Badenoch has told the Mail on Sunday the Tories must be ready for an election 'at any point', dismissing Mr Burnham's desperate efforts to quash the idea. Strategists suspect that the PM will be tempted to strike while he is in a honeymoon period and the Greens are in disarray. Zack Polanski was humiliated last week when he failed to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, and is struggling to contain anger at the Greens' 'Zionism is Racism' conference motion. The party's poll ratings have halved this year, with voters seemingly returning to Labour under Mr Burnham. Opinium found Mr Polanski's personal ratings fell another seven points over the past week, to a net score of minus 29. That makes him the most unpopular main party leader. Mrs Badenoch's aides were even on alert during Labour conference in case Mr Burnham used his speech to trigger a contest. Some believe a pre-Christmas election is not out of the question. The Tories have been holding election meetings since July, with a draft manifesto and campaign 'grid' – detailing the seats Mrs Badenoch will visit and public appearances she will make – in place. Mrs Badenoch said: 'We know there's a battle of ideas coming in British politics and I've instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point. Zack Polanski was humiliated last week when he failed to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election Opinium found the Conservatives' image has improved across every metric since August 'When that election comes there will be a simple choice between Conservative plans to get Britain working again and a Labour party that keeps putting up taxes, refuses to cut welfare and won't fund our defence.' James Crouch, head of policy and public affairs at Opinium, said: 'Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch both delivered commanding speeches, secured positive headlines and boosted their parties' vote shares. 'Together, the two main parties now have their highest combined share in almost two years. The question is whether this is as good as it gets for the old guard, or the beginning of a genuine trend.'