The Observer appoints Opinium to run political polls

The Opinium/Observer Political Poll will be published in the Observer and on the Guardian website every fortnight, changing to weekly in the months leading up to the next General Election.It will also monitor party leader approval ratings. Toby Helm, the Observer’s political editor said it “will give our readers a great insight into the state of public opinion at a fascinating time for politics.”

The first poll will provide an in-depth look at public opinion of the Liberal Democrat party as its conference gets underway, including research into whether a change of leadership might improve their chances in the next election.

Sister title The Guardian and ICM have been conducting monthly polls since 1984.