Falling markets and falling opinion polls

Carried out before the latest turmoil in the financial markets but the Guardian shows another double digit lead for the Tories

This morning's paper reports an ICM poll which puts the Tories 13 points clear,three points up on the last poll.

Is this simply a reaction to the budget?

Today's findings suggest voters are losing faith in the government's ability to steer Britain through difficult economic times, in spite of assertions that the UK is well-placed to ride out global turmoil

says the paper.

Iain Martin writes that

On this side of the Atlantic it is starting to dawn on those who thought this would have no impact in the 'real economy' that they were mistaken. The rising cost of mortgages is about to hit millions of Britons as the era of easy money unwinds. Last week's budget now seems to belong to another world

Or is it something more substantial?

The coalition of voters that put Labour in power three times is falling apart. Even the party's bedrock support is beginning to crack

. writes Julian Glover in the same paper

But at leastIain Dale is crowing

So the Tory lead seems to have come entirely from Labour switchers. These are the people the Tories really need to attract in the key marginals. In the past, whenever the Tories have built up a good lead, it has been eroded over the ensuing few months. Let's see if this time the party can develop a strategy to keep the switchers - and keep them for good.