Poll puts the Lib Dems ahead of the Tories in Eastleigh

An opinion poll published in the Mail on Sunday that shows the Liberal Democrats have a three point lead over the Tories. The poll also shows that the United Kingdom Independence Party have over taken Labour and moved into third place. The other parties are polling collectively at two percent. 

Liberal Democrat Party 36%
Conservative Party 33%
United Kingdom Independence Party 16%
Labour Party 13%
Other 2%

The confirmed candidates so far:

Howling Loud Hope - Monster Raving Loony Party
Hutchings, Maria - Conservative Party 
Maclennan, Ian - National Health Action Party
Proctor, Darren - Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition
Thornton, Mike - Liberal Democrat Party

The Labour party are in the process of selecting a candidate and will announce their candidate on February 12th, author and broadcaster John O'Farrell has announced he has applied for the Labour candidacy. UKIP are also in the process of selecting a candidate and although party leader Nigel Farage has ruled himself out he told the Daily Telegraph that there are currently twelve party members seeking the nomination. Green party leader Natalie Bennett told me that she is "highly unlikely" to be the Green candidate and whether the party contests the election is a matter for the local party.