Alarm bells for Boris as another poll shows a Labour lead in the wake of sleaze row and Tory infighting… with Starmer's approval levels rising Another poll has shown Labour in lead after Boris Johnson hit by sleaze chaos Opinium found Keir Starmer's party has extended lead from one to two points As well as sleaze Mr Johnson has faced infighting over social care and rail plans By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline Published: 07:40 GMT, 28 November 2021 | Updated: 07:44 GMT, 28 November 2021 Viewcomments The lasting damage to Boris Johnson from the sleaze chaos and Tory infighting was underlined today as a poll found Labour gaining ground. The latest research by Opinium gave Keir Starmer's party a two point lead, consolidating the one-point advantage from a fortnight ago. The Labour leader's own ratings have also improved dramatically - turning positive for the first time in six months while the PM remains in the doldrums. Some 32 per cent approve of Sir Keir's performance, with 31 per cent disapproving. But for Mr Johnson the figures were 31 per cent and 48 per cent - a net negative 17 points. In a crumb of comfort for Mr Johnson, he still has a narrow lead when voters were asked who they preferred as PM, by 29 per cent to 27 per cent. But the highest score was for 'none of the above'. The latest research by Opinium gave Keir Starmer's party a two point lead, consolidating the one-point advantage from a fortnight ago The Labour leader's own ratings have also improved dramatically - turning positive for the first time in six months while the PM remains in the doldrums The Conservatives have endured a torrid time in the wake of the premier's abortive bid to save ally Owen Paterson from punishment for lobbying. The resulting outcry and U-turn sparked fury in Tory ranks, with demands for the bungling No10 machine to be overhauled. Mr Johnson also faces deep splits over his social care plans, with a revolt on moves to water down the cap on costs. And Red Wall MPs were livid about the decision to downgrade promises on NS2 and Northern Powerhouse rail links. Long-running tensions have resurfaced between the PM and Chancellor Rishi Sunak over Mr Johnson's free-spending approach and tendency to blunder. The warning signs for the Tories came as Mr Johnson faces another major crisis, with two cases of the Omicron Covid variant having been detected in the UK. At a hastily-arranged Downing Street press conference last night the prime minister painted a grim picture of the potential threat from the new 'super-mutant' strain - admitting he cannot guarantee Christmas will go ahead as hoped. Mr Johnson put unlocking in reverse as he extended travel bans, enforcing day-two PCR tests for arrivals in Britain, and making facemasks compulsory in shops and on trains. He declared that all arrivals to the country must self-isolate until they get a negative result from a gold-standard test - which can identify those carrying Omicron. Some 31 per cent approved of Mr Johnson's performance with 48 per cent disapproving - a net negative of 17 points All contacts of people infected with the variant must stay at home for 10 days. Flanked by medical and science chiefs Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance, Mr Johnson also announced that facemasks on public transport and shops will be compulsory - although struggling bars and restaurants will be spared for now. But extraordinarily despite the alarm at the new peril the government has yet to work out when most of the new restrictions will come into force. Mr Javid is expected to clarify the timeline over the next couple of days, with No10 suggesting they will be introduced 'next week'. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility