A recent in-depth poll by YouGov suggests a potential victory for Liberal Democrat MP candidate Sarah Dyke against Conservative Faye Purbrick in the Glastonbury & Somerton constituency in the forthcoming election.

The survey, hailed as the most comprehensive in the last five years, points to a tight contest between the two major parties. This poll utilises a multilevel regression and post-stratification (MRP) model, which not only predicts outcomes for individual seats but also accounts for the substantial number of undecided voters and their potential voting preferences, a concept known as electoral tightening.

The results of this YouGov poll are currently considered the most reliable forecast of the actual election outcome, based on the current public opinion, should the election be held soon.

The survey, which sampled 14,000 individuals, forecasts a significant shift in the political landscape. It projects the Conservatives retaining just 169 seats, while Labour is anticipated to gain a majority with 385 seats, potentially providing Sir Keir Starmer with a 120-seat majority.

The Liberal Democrats are predicted to secure 48 seats nationally in the upcoming election, according to the poll. This aligns with the party's recent successes, including victories in four by-elections that were traditionally held by the Conservatives and considerable gains in local elections within areas that have historically been Conservative strongholds since 2019.

The Liberal Democrats have been concentrating their campaign efforts on constituencies such as Glastonbury & Somerton, addressing key issues including healthcare. They propose to ensure more timely access to GPs, dental appointments, and a commitment to initiate cancer treatment within two months of an urgent referral.

Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Glastonbury & Somerton, spoke about the poll, highlighting the crucial choice facing voters at the next election. "At the next election, people in our area will have a clear choice. They can back the hard-working Lib Dem team or risk a Conservative MP taking the seat and taking our area for granted," she said. Dyke's campaign focuses on advocating for local health services and effective governance.