Sturgeon looking like an early winner as Yorkshire Tory councillor defects to UKIP

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister David Cameron during the 7-way televised leaders' debate

Nicola Sturgeon was judged best-performing leader in the ITV debate in a poll of 1,117 viewers by YouGov.

The SNP leader won 28% backing, followed by Nigel Farage (20%), David Cameron (18%), Ed Miliband (15%), Nick Clegg (10%), Natalie Bennett (5%) and Leanne Wood (4%).

Prior to the debate Ukip announced that a Tory councillor had defected to join Mr Farage’s party just minutes before the leaders’ debate kicked off.

Mick Burchill, an East Riding of Yorkshire councillor, said the Tory party had been “consumed with enforcing its will on the membership without consultation”.

He said: “I am very pleased to be joining Ukip, as they are a progressive party with a ‘grass roots’ foundation. Ukip are interested in both residents and their members, something I can’t say about the local Conservatives.

“Having no party whip is also a huge step forward as it allows considered opinions to be heard. Its relative newness will allow development of thought process, experience and knowledge to be used effectively and it is led by a man who’s enthusiasm and intelligence is infectious and who has the time to and ability to relate to their needs.

“Nigel Farage is a listener as well as a talker and I like that.”