Lib Dem poll massacre survey shock

An opinion poll conducted in Liberal Democrat strongholds suggests the party could lose all but seven of its 57 MPs at the next general election unless it regains popularity.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Cabinet colleagues Vince Cable and Danny Alexander are among those at risk of defeat, according to the YouGov survey for The Sun.

It found support for the junior coalition partner at 24% - 17 points down on 2010 and enough only for third place behind the Tories and Labour.

Based on redrawn boundaries, the pollster sought the opinion of 1,524 voters in 46 seats the party would have won and another 30 it would have challenged for, closely based on 2010 votes.

Allowing for tactical voting, it concluded that former leaders Sir Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy would also lose their seats and that Ed Davey would be the only surviving Cabinet minister.

David Laws, Norman Lamb, Don Foster, Mark Williams, Bob Russell and Alistair Carmichael would be the only other survivors, it suggested.

Although Labour led the poll - on 31% to the Tories' 28% - it would be David Cameron's party that benefited most - gaining 21 seats to 18.

Voters were evenly split over whether of not Mr Clegg acted responsibly by joining the Tory-led administration (by 41% in favour to 43% against) but 57% said the decision meant the party had "sold out its principles".