# Opinion polling for the 1979 United Kingdom general election

In the run-up to the 1979 general election, various organisations carried out opinion polling to gauge voting intention. Results of such polls are displayed in this article. The date range for these opinion polls are from the October general election until 3 May 1979.

## Graphical summaries

The chart below depicts opinion polls conducted for the 1979 United Kingdom general election.

## National Poll Results

All data is from UK Polling Report.

### 1979

| Survey end date | Pollster | Client | Lab | Con | Lib | Lead |
| 3 May | 1979 general election | 1979 general election | 36.9% | 43.9% | 13.8% | 7% |
| 2 May | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 38.5% | 49% | 9% | 10.5% |
| 2 May | NOP | Daily Mail | 39% | 46% | 12.5% | 7% |
| 2 May | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 43% | 13.5% | 2% |
| 2 May | MORI | Evening Standard | 37% | 45% | 15% | 8% |
| 1 May | MORI | Daily Express | 38.8% | 44.4% | 13.5% | 5.6% |
| 1 May | Marplan | The Sun | 38.5% | 45% | 9% | 6.5% |
| 30 Apr | NOP | Daily Mail | 43.1% | 42.4% | 12.2% | 0.7% |
| 26 Apr | MORI | Daily Express | 41% | 44% | 12% | 3% |
| 25 Apr | Gallup | The Sunday Telegraph | 40% | 48% | 10.5% | 8% |
| 25 Apr | Research Srv | The Observer | 38% | 49.5% | 10% | 11.5% |
| 25 Apr | Marplan | The Sun | 40% | 48% | 10% | 8% |
| 23 Apr | MORI | Daily Express | 40% | 46% | 11% | 6% |
| 21 Apr | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41.5% | 46.5% | 10% | 5% |
| 19 Apr | Marplan | The Sun | 40% | 50% | 9% | 10% |
| 18 Apr | Gallup | The Sunday Telegraph | 42% | 47.5% | 9% | 5.5% |
| 18 Apr | Marplan | The Sun | 41% | 51% | 6% | 10% |
| 18 Apr | Research Srv | The Observer | 34% | 54% | 9.5% | 20% |
| 17 Apr | MORI | Daily Express | 38% | 50% | 10% | 12% |
| 14 Apr | NOP | Daily Mail | 42% | 48% | 8% | 6% |
| 11 Apr | Research Srv | The Observer | 37% | 53% | 8% | 16% |
| 9 Apr | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40% | 50% | 8% | 10% |
| 9 Apr | MORI | Daily Express | 39% | 49% | 10% | 10% |
| 7 Apr | The Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | The Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | The Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | The Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | The Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | The Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins |
| 4 Apr | Research Srv | The Observer | 33.5% | 54.5% | 9% | 21% |
| 3 Apr | NOP | Daily Mail | 42% | 48% | 8% | 6% |
| 2 Apr | MORI | Daily Express | 38% | 51% | 10% | 13% |
| 29 Mar | MORI | Thames | 42% | 51% | 5% | 9% |
| 29 Mar | Liverpool Edge Hill by-election | Liverpool Edge Hill by-election | Liverpool Edge Hill by-election | Liverpool Edge Hill by-election | Liverpool Edge Hill by-election | Liverpool Edge Hill by-election |
| 28 Mar | The vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry passes | The vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry passes | The vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry passes | The vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry passes | The vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry passes | The vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry passes |
| 28 Mar | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40.5% | 47.5% | 9% | 7% |
| 12 Mar | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 37% | 51.5% | 8.5% | 14.5% |
| 5 Mar | MORI | N/A | 39% | 52% | 7% | 13% |
| 1 Mar | Knutsford and Clitheroe by-elections | Knutsford and Clitheroe by-elections | Knutsford and Clitheroe by-elections | Knutsford and Clitheroe by-elections | Knutsford and Clitheroe by-elections | Knutsford and Clitheroe by-elections |
| 14 Feb | The Winter of Discontent ends following negotiations with the TUC | The Winter of Discontent ends following negotiations with the TUC | The Winter of Discontent ends following negotiations with the TUC | The Winter of Discontent ends following negotiations with the TUC | The Winter of Discontent ends following negotiations with the TUC | The Winter of Discontent ends following negotiations with the TUC |
| 12 Feb | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 33% | 53% | 11% | 20% |
| 8 Feb | NOP | N/A | 40.7% | 49% | 7.4% | 8.3% |
| 1 Feb | MORI | N/A | 36% | 55% | 6% | 19% |
| 15 Jan | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41.5% | 49% | 6% | 7.5% |
| 4 Jan | NOP | N/A | 49.1% | 42.5% | 5.7% | 6.6% |

### 1978

| Survey end date | Pollster | Client | Lab | Con | Lib | Lead |
| 14 Dec | The Callaghan ministry survives a vote of no confidence | The Callaghan ministry survives a vote of no confidence | The Callaghan ministry survives a vote of no confidence | The Callaghan ministry survives a vote of no confidence | The Callaghan ministry survives a vote of no confidence | The Callaghan ministry survives a vote of no confidence |
| 11 Dec | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 42.5% | 48% | 6% | 5.5% |
| 7 Dec | NOP | N/A | 47.9% | 44.7% | 4.6% | 3.2% |
| 13 Nov | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 48% | 43% | 6.5% | 5% |
| 9 Nov | NOP | N/A | 46.8% | 44.8% | 6.2% | 2% |
| 8 Nov | MORI | N/A | 46% | 47% | 5% | 1% |
| 26 Oct | Pontefract and Castleford & Berwick and East Lothian by-elections | Pontefract and Castleford & Berwick and East Lothian by-elections | Pontefract and Castleford & Berwick and East Lothian by-elections | Pontefract and Castleford & Berwick and East Lothian by-elections | Pontefract and Castleford & Berwick and East Lothian by-elections | Pontefract and Castleford & Berwick and East Lothian by-elections |
| 23 Oct | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 47.5% | 42% | 7.5% | 5.5% |
| 12 Oct | NOP | N/A | 48.5% | 44.2% | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| 11 Sep | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 42.5% | 49.5% | 6% | 7% |
| 11 Sep | MORI | N/A | 42% | 48% | 8% | 6% |
| 7 Sep | The Lib-Lab pact ends | The Lib-Lab pact ends | The Lib-Lab pact ends | The Lib-Lab pact ends | The Lib-Lab pact ends | The Lib-Lab pact ends |
| 5 Sep | NOP | N/A | 45.8% | 48% | 4.8% | 2.2% |
| 4 Sep | MORI | N/A | 45% | 47% | 5% | 2% |
| 14 Aug | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 47.5% | 43.5% | 6% | 4% |
| 14 Aug | MORI | N/A | 44% | 47% | 6% | 3% |
| 9 Aug | NOP | N/A | 48.5% | 42.4% | 6.3% | 6.1% |
| 17 Jul | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 43% | 45% | 8.5% | 2% |
| 13 Jul | Penistone & Manchester Moss Side by-elections | Penistone & Manchester Moss Side by-elections | Penistone & Manchester Moss Side by-elections | Penistone & Manchester Moss Side by-elections | Penistone & Manchester Moss Side by-elections | Penistone & Manchester Moss Side by-elections |
| 11 Jul | MORI | N/A | 41% | 49% | 6% | 8% |
| 5 Jul | NOP | N/A | 44.4% | 46.5% | 6.3% | 2.1% |
| 30 Jun | MORI | N/A | 42% | 48% | 6% | 6% |
| 14 Jun | NOP | N/A | 42.3% | 49.1% | 6.3% | 6.8% |
| 13 Jun | MORI | N/A | 45% | 46% | 6% | 1% |
| 12 Jun | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 45.5% | 45.5% | 6% | Tie |
| 31 May | Hamilton by-election | Hamilton by-election | Hamilton by-election | Hamilton by-election | Hamilton by-election | Hamilton by-election |
| 24 May | MORI | N/A | 46% | 45% | 6% | 1% |
| 15 May | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 43.5% | 43.5% | 8.5% | Tie |
| 9 May | NOP | N/A | 48% | 43.1% | 7% | 4.9% |
| 2–4 May | 1978 local elections | 1978 local elections | 1978 local elections | 1978 local elections | 1978 local elections | 1978 local elections |
| 27 Apr | Wycombe & Epsom and Ewell by-elections | Wycombe & Epsom and Ewell by-elections | Wycombe & Epsom and Ewell by-elections | Wycombe & Epsom and Ewell by-elections | Wycombe & Epsom and Ewell by-elections | Wycombe & Epsom and Ewell by-elections |
| 20 Apr | Lambeth Central by-election | Lambeth Central by-election | Lambeth Central by-election | Lambeth Central by-election | Lambeth Central by-election | Lambeth Central by-election |
| 17 Apr | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 43.5% | 45.5% | 7.5% | 2% |
| 13 Apr | MORI | N/A | 44% | 46% | 7% | 2% |
| 13 Apr | Glasgow Garscadden by-election | Glasgow Garscadden by-election | Glasgow Garscadden by-election | Glasgow Garscadden by-election | Glasgow Garscadden by-election | Glasgow Garscadden by-election |
| 12 Apr | NOP | N/A | 44.5% | 46.2% | 6.6% | 1.7% |
| 20 Mar | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 48% | 8% | 7% |
| 8 Mar | NOP | N/A | 45.6% | 44.6% | 7.3% | 1% |
| 2 Mar | Ilford North by election | Ilford North by election | Ilford North by election | Ilford North by election | Ilford North by election | Ilford North by election |
| 15 Feb | NOP | N/A | 44.6% | 45.3% | 7.1% | 0.7% |
| 13 Feb | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 39% | 48% | 9% | 9% |
| 18 Jan | NOP | | 45.5% | 44% | 7.5% | 1.5% |
| 16 Jan | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 43.5% | 43.5% | 8.5% | Tie |

### 1977

| Survey end date | Pollster | Client | Lab | Con | Lib | Lead |
| 14 Dec | NOP | N/A | 48.8% | 40.8% | 7% | 8% |
| 12 Dec | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 44.5% | 44% | 8% | 0.5% |
| 7 Dec | NOP | N/A | 44.1% | 44.6% | 7.5% | 0.5% |
| 30 Nov | NOP | N/A | 47.5% | 43.2% | 6.3% | 4.3% |
| 24 Nov | Bournemouth East by election | Bournemouth East by election | Bournemouth East by election | Bournemouth East by election | Bournemouth East by election | Bournemouth East by election |
| 23 Nov | NOP | N/A | 44.3% | 46.7% | 6.2% | 2.4% |
| 16 Nov | NOP | N/A | 48.5% | 42.5% | 6.2% | 6% |
| 14 Nov | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 42% | 45.5% | 8.5% | 3.5% |
| 9 Nov | NOP | N/A | 44.1% | 45.5% | 7% | 1.4% |
| 26 Oct | NOP | N/A | 43% | 46.7% | 6.9% | 3.7% |
| 26 Oct | MORI | N/A | 44% | 45% | 7% | 1% |
| 24 Oct | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 45% | 45% | 8% | Tie |
| 19 Oct | NOP | N/A | 45.8% | 44.1% | 7.3% | 1.7% |
| 22 Sep | MORI | N/A | 42% | 49% | 5% | 7% |
| 14 Sep | NOP | N/A | 41.8% | 48% | 7.3% | 6.2% |
| 12 Sep | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 45.5% | 8.5% | 4.5% |
| 18 Aug | Birmingham Ladywood by election | Birmingham Ladywood by election | Birmingham Ladywood by election | Birmingham Ladywood by election | Birmingham Ladywood by election | Birmingham Ladywood by election |
| 15 Aug | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 37.5% | 48.5% | 9% | 11% |
| 10 Aug | NOP | N/A | 38.2% | 51.3% | 7.1% | 13.1% |
| 18 Jul | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 34.5% | 49% | 10.5% | 14.5% |
| 13 Jul | NOP | N/A | 35.1% | 53.1% | 8.4% | 18% |
| 7 Jul | Saffron Walden by election | Saffron Walden by election | Saffron Walden by election | Saffron Walden by election | Saffron Walden by election | Saffron Walden by election |
| 22 Jun | NOP | N/A | 37.1% | 49.1% | 10.8% | 12% |
| 13 Jun | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 37% | 47.5% | 10.5% | 10.5% |
| 16 May | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 33% | 53.5% | 8.5% | 20.5% |
| 11 May | NOP | N/A | 36.9% | 52.9% | 7.2% | 16% |
| 3–18 May | 1977 local elections | 1977 local elections | 1977 local elections | 1977 local elections | 1977 local elections | 1977 local elections |
| 2 May | NOP | N/A | 41% | 48.3% | 6.6% | 7.3% |
| 28 Apr | Grimsby & Ashfield by-elections | Grimsby & Ashfield by-elections | Grimsby & Ashfield by-elections | Grimsby & Ashfield by-elections | Grimsby & Ashfield by-elections | Grimsby & Ashfield by-elections |
| 20 Apr | NOP | N/A | 38.3% | 49.4% | 9.1% | 11.1% |
| 18 Apr | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 33.5% | 49% | 11.5% | 15.5% |
| 31 Mar | Birmingham Stechford by-election | Birmingham Stechford by-election | Birmingham Stechford by-election | Birmingham Stechford by-election | Birmingham Stechford by-election | Birmingham Stechford by-election |
| 23 Mar | NOP | N/A | 35.7% | 50.9% | 9.7% | 15.2% |
| 23 Mar | The Lib–Lab pact is formed | The Lib–Lab pact is formed | The Lib–Lab pact is formed | The Lib–Lab pact is formed | The Lib–Lab pact is formed | The Lib–Lab pact is formed |
| 14 Mar | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 33% | 49.5% | 13% | 16.5% |
| 28 Feb | MORI | N/A | 38% | 47% | 12% | 9% |
| 24 Feb | City of London and Westminster South by-election | City of London and Westminster South by-election | City of London and Westminster South by-election | City of London and Westminster South by-election | City of London and Westminster South by-election | City of London and Westminster South by-election |
| 23 Feb | NOP | N/A | 37.4% | 47.3% | 10.9% | 9.9% |
| 16 Feb | NOP | N/A | 36.1% | 50.2% | 10% | 14.1% |
| 14 Feb | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 33.5% | 46% | 14% | 12.5% |
| 26 Jan | NOP | N/A | 36.8% | 48.4% | 10.2% | 11.6% |
| 17 Jan | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 34% | 47% | 14.5% | 13% |
| 2 Jan | NOP | N/A | 35.1% | 50% | 11.2% | 14.9% |

### 1976

| Survey end date | Pollster | Client | Lab | Con | Lib | Lead |
| 14 Dec | NOP | N/A | 38.4% | 47.9% | 10.6% | 9.5% |
| 2 Dec | Cambridge by-election | Cambridge by-election | Cambridge by-election | Cambridge by-election | Cambridge by-election | Cambridge by-election |
| 13 Dec | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 34% | 49.5% | 11.5% | 15.5% |
| 28 Nov | NOP | N/A | 31.3% | 55.2% | 9.4% | 23.9% |
| 15 Nov | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 30% | 55% | 11.5% | 25% |
| 7 Nov | NOP | N/A | 38.2% | 49.3% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 4 Nov | Workington, Walsall North and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central by-elections | Workington, Walsall North and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central by-elections | Workington, Walsall North and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central by-elections | Workington, Walsall North and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central by-elections | Workington, Walsall North and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central by-elections | Workington, Walsall North and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central by-elections |
| 18 Oct | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 36.5% | 48% | 11.5% | 11.5% |
| 17 Oct | NOP | N/A | 34.9% | 53.4% | 8.3% | 18.5% |
| 10 Oct | NOP | N/A | 35.9% | 50.7% | 9.5% | 14.8% |
| 26 Sep | NOP | N/A | 39.6% | 45.6% | 9.9% | 6% |
| 20 Sep | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 42% | 42.5% | 11% | 0.5% |
| 12 Sep | NOP | N/A | 40.5% | 46.5% | 9.1% | 6% |
| 22 Aug | NOP | N/A | 43.3% | 43.9% | 9.3% | 0.6% |
| 16 Aug | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 44% | 10% | 3% |
| 18 Jul | NOP | N/A | 43.5% | 43.6% | 8.7% | 0.1% |
| 15 Jul | Thurrock by-election | Thurrock by-election | Thurrock by-election | Thurrock by-election | Thurrock by-election | Thurrock by-election |
| 12 Jul | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 41% | 13% | Tie |
| 11 Jul | NOP | N/A | 44.1% | 42.1% | 9.5% | 2% |
| 7 Jul | David Steel is elected leader of the Liberal Party | David Steel is elected leader of the Liberal Party | David Steel is elected leader of the Liberal Party | David Steel is elected leader of the Liberal Party | David Steel is elected leader of the Liberal Party | David Steel is elected leader of the Liberal Party |
| 24 Jun | Rotherham by-election | Rotherham by-election | Rotherham by-election | Rotherham by-election | Rotherham by-election | Rotherham by-election |
| 14 Jun | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40.5% | 44% | 11% | 3.5% |
| 10 Jun | NOP | N/A | 41.2% | 45.8% | 8.8% | 4.6% |
| 23 May | NOP | N/A | 43% | 44.7% | 8.3% | 1.7% |
| 17 May | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 44% | 10.5% | 3% |
| 16 May | NOP | N/A | 41.5% | 46.5% | 8.3% | 5% |
| 6 May | 1976 local elections | 1976 local elections | 1976 local elections | 1976 local elections | 1976 local elections | 1976 local elections |
| 28 Apr | NOP | N/A | 46.1% | 41.7% | 8.4% | 4.4% |
| 12 Apr | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 46.5% | 41% | 9% | 5.5% |
| 11 Apr | NOP | N/A | 44.7% | 43.6% | 9% | 1.1% |
| 9 Apr | MORI | N/A | 46% | 40% | 10% | 6% |
| 5 Apr | James Callaghan is elected leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister | James Callaghan is elected leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister | James Callaghan is elected leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister | James Callaghan is elected leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister | James Callaghan is elected leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister | James Callaghan is elected leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister |
| 19 Mar | MORI | N/A | 47% | 40% | 9% | 7% |
| 15 Mar | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41.5% | 44% | 9.5% | 2.5% |
| 14 Mar | NOP | N/A | 41.7% | 46% | 8.8% | 4.3% |
| 11 Mar | Wirral & Carshalton by-elections | Wirral & Carshalton by-elections | Wirral & Carshalton by-elections | Wirral & Carshalton by-elections | Wirral & Carshalton by-elections | Wirral & Carshalton by-elections |
| 4 Mar | Coventry North West by-election | Coventry North West by-election | Coventry North West by-election | Coventry North West by-election | Coventry North West by-election | Coventry North West by-election |
| 16 Feb | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40.5% | 45.5% | 10.5% | 5% |
| 25 Jan | NOP | N/A | 42.8% | 42% | 11.3% | 0.8% |
| 22 Jan | NOP | N/A | 40.5% | 43.9% | 11.4% | 3.4% |
| 19 Jan | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 42% | 40.5% | 14% | 1.5% |

### 1975

| Survey end date | Pollster | Client | Lab | Con | Lib | Lead |
| 16 Dec | NOP | N/A | 38.3% | 45.4% | 11.7% | 7.1% |
| 16 Dec | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 40.5% | 14% | 0.5% |
| 30 Nov | NOP | N/A | 37.4% | 44.5% | 14.9% | 7.1% |
| 17 Nov | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 44.5% | 39% | 12.5% | 5.5% |
| 16 Nov | NOP | N/A | 41.2% | 43.6% | 12.7% | 2.4% |
| 30 Oct | NOP | N/A | 41.5% | 43.4% | 11.8% | 1.9% |
| 20 Oct | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40.5% | 42.5% | 13.5% | 2% |
| 22 Sep | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41.5% | 38.5% | 16.5% | 3% |
| 7 Sep | NOP | N/A | 40.8% | 45.7% | 10.3% | 4.9% |
| 18 Aug | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 42% | 40.5% | 14% | 1.5% |
| 17 Aug | NOP | N/A | 40.3% | 44.4% | 11.6% | 4.1% |
| 14 Jul | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40.5% | 43% | 12.5% | 2.5% |
| 29 Jun | NOP | N/A | 37.2% | 48.8% | 10.4% | 11.6% |
| 26 Jun | Woolwich West by-election | Woolwich West by-election | Woolwich West by-election | Woolwich West by-election | Woolwich West by-election | Woolwich West by-election |
| 16 Jun | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 40.5% | 44% | 13% | 3.5% |
| 5 Jun | The United Kingdom votes "Yes" to staying in the European Community | The United Kingdom votes "Yes" to staying in the European Community | The United Kingdom votes "Yes" to staying in the European Community | The United Kingdom votes "Yes" to staying in the European Community | The United Kingdom votes "Yes" to staying in the European Community | The United Kingdom votes "Yes" to staying in the European Community |
| 1 Jun | NOP | N/A | 43.6% | 42% | 10.7% | 1.6% |
| 19 May | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 39.5% | 45.5% | 11% | 6% |
| 11 May | NOP | N/A | 40.2% | 42.9% | 13% | 2.7% |
| 1 May | 1975 local elections | 1975 local elections | 1975 local elections | 1975 local elections | 1975 local elections | 1975 local elections |
| 27 Apr | NOP | N/A | 43.5% | 42.4% | 10.9% | 1.1% |
| 14 Apr | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 45% | 43% | 10% | 2% |
| 6 Apr | NOP | N/A | 43.3% | 44.8% | 9.1% | 1.5% |
| 17 Mar | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 44% | 42% | 11% | 2% |
| 2 Mar | NOP | N/A | 46.4% | 40.8% | 10.3% | 5.6% |
| 17 Feb | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 41% | 45% | 11% | 4% |
| 11 Feb | Margaret Thatcher is elected leader of the Conservative Party | Margaret Thatcher is elected leader of the Conservative Party | Margaret Thatcher is elected leader of the Conservative Party | Margaret Thatcher is elected leader of the Conservative Party | Margaret Thatcher is elected leader of the Conservative Party | Margaret Thatcher is elected leader of the Conservative Party |
| 9 Feb | NOP | N/A | 46% | 38.6% | 11.1% | 7.4% |
| 2 Feb | NOP | N/A | 43.8% | 38.1% | 14.6% | 5.7% |
| 19 Jan | NOP | N/A | 47.8% | 32.4% | 15.9% | 15.4% |
| 13 Jan | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 48.5% | 34% | 13% | 14.5% |

### 1974

| Survey end date | Pollster | Client | Lab | Con | Lib | Lead |
| 16 Dec | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 47% | 33% | 16.5% | 14% |
| 1 Dec | NOP | N/A | 47.7% | 38.4% | 11.1% | 9.3% |
| 18 Nov | Gallup | The Daily Telegraph | 46.5% | 35% | 14.5% | 11.5% |
| 27 Oct | NOP | N/A | 43.7% | 36.6% | 15.1% | 7.1% |
| 10 Oct | Oct 1974 general election | Oct 1974 general election | 39.2% | 35.8% | 18.3% | 3.4% |

## Polling in the nations and regions
### Scotland

| Date(s) conducted | Pollster | Client | Sample size | Lab | SNP | Con | Lib | SLP | Lead |
| 3 May 1979 | 1979 election | 1979 election | – | 41.5% | 17.3% | 31.4% | 9.0% | 0.5% | 10.1% |
| 3 May 1979 | | Scottish Daily Express | | 44% | 18% | 30% | 6% | | 14% |
| 30 Apr 1979 | Opinion Research Centre | The Scotsman | | 42% | 15% | 34% | 8% | | 8% |
| 25 Apr 1979 | Opinion Research Centre | The Scotsman | | 42% | 16% | 33% | 9% | | 9% |
| 10–12 Apr 1979 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,079 | 49% | 17% | 27% | 6% | 1% | 22% |
| 26 Mar – 2 Apr 1979 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,003 | 45% | 19% | 29% | 6% | 2% | 16% |
| 7 Apr 1979 | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins | Dissolution of the 47th Parliament and campaigning officially begins |
| 1 Mar 1979 | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum | 1979 Scottish devolution referendum |
| 24–25 Feb 1979 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,080 | 40% | 18% | 37% | 4% | 1% | 3% |
| 20–22 Feb 1979 | MORI | Scottish Daily Express | 1,037 | 44% | 21% | 32% | 2% | | 12% |
| 12–14 Feb 1979 | MORI | LWT Weekend World | 1,015 | 45% | 23% | 30% | 2% | | 15% |
| 29 Jan – 6 Feb 1979 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,003 | 40% | 23% | 31% | 4% | 1% | 9% |
| 8–20 Jan 1979 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 926 | 45% | 20% | 31% | 2% | 2% | 14% |
| Dec 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 48% | 21% | 25% | 4% | 2% | 23% |
| Nov 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 51% | 21% | 23% | 3% | 2% | 28% |
| 26 Oct 1978 | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election | 1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election |
| 26 Sep – 3 Oct 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 972 | 48% | 19% | 27% | 4% | 1% | 21% |
| 30 Aug – 8 Sep 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,000 | 52% | 18% | 24% | 3% | 3% | 28% |
| 31 Jul – 9 Aug 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 962 | 48% | 18% | 30% | 4% | 0.5% | 18% |
| 26 Jun – 5 Jul 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 906 | 47% | 22% | 26% | 4% | 1% | 21% |
| 31 May 1978 | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election | 1978 Hamilton by-election |
| 2 May 1978 | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections | 1978 Scottish regional elections |
| 25 Apr – 2 May 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,024 | 47% | 24% | 24% | 3% | 2% | 23% |
| 13 Apr 1978 | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election | 1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election |
| 27 Mar – 5 Apr 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,008 | 38% | 27% | 29% | 4% | 2% | 9% |
| 5 Apr 1978 | MORI | LWT Weekend World | 1,002 | 41% | 27% | 30% | 3% | 1% | 11% |
| 6–14 Mar 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,031 | 35% | 27% | 30% | 5% | 2% | 5% |
| 30 Jan – 6 Feb 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 994 | 38% | 27% | 28% | 5% | 2% | 10% |
| Jan 1978 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 34% | 29% | 28% | 6% | 3% | 5% |
| Nov 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 35% | 30% | 27% | 5% | 3% | 5% |
| 24 Oct – 8 Nov 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 984 | 36% | 26% | 30% | 6% | 2% | 6% |
| 26 Sep – 6 Oct 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 971 | 31% | 28% | 32% | 6% | 2% | 1% |
| 22 Aug – 2 Sep 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,045 | 29% | 30% | 32% | 5% | 4% | 2% |
| 25 Jul – 8 Aug 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 947 | 32% | 33% | 26% | 5% | 3% | 1% |
| Jun 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 28% | 32% | 31% | 6% | 2% | 1% |
| 30 May – 7 Jun 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,019 | 33% | 35% | 26% | 4% | 1% | 2% |
| 3 May 1977 | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections | 1977 Scottish local elections |
| 25 Apr – 4 May 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,012 | 28% | 31% | 31% | 6% | 2% | Tied |
| Mar 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 27% | 36% | 27% | 5% | 3% | 9% |
| 26 Feb – 5 Mar 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 978 | 29% | 31% | 32% | 5% | 3% | 1% |
| Jan 1977 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 28% | 33% | 29% | 6% | 4% | 4% |
| 27 Sep – 7 Oct 1976 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 948 | 30% | 28% | 30% | 9% | 1% | Tied |
| 23–30 Aug 1976 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,009 | 30% | 30% | 31% | 4% | 4% | 1% |
| 28 Jun – 7 Jul 1976 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 943 | 34% | 27% | 32% | 4% | 3% | 2% |
| 24 May – 4 Jun 1976 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 855 | 35% | 25% | 32% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| 24 Feb – 4 Mar 1976 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 929 | 24% | 33% | 28% | 6% | 8% | 5% |
| 7–14 Jan 1976 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 980 | 30% | 36% | 28% | 5% | | 6% |
| Nov 1975 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | | 42% | 26% | 26% | 5% | | 16% |
| 5 Jun 1975 | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum | 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum |
| 26–30 May 1975 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,016 | 40% | 26% | 28% | 5% | | 12% |
| 28 Apr – 2 May 1975 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 1,022 | 37% | 27% | 31% | 5% | | 6% |
| 26 Mar – 4 Apr 1975 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 890 | 40% | 24% | 29% | 6% | | 11% |
| 25 Feb – 5 Mar 1975 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 883 | 40% | 29% | 28% | 3% | | 11% |
| 28 Jan – 5 Feb 1975 | System Three | Glasgow Herald | 982 | 40% | 29% | 24% | 6% | | 11% |
| 10 Oct 1974 | October 1974 election | October 1974 election | – | 36.3% | 30.4% | 24.7% | 8.3% | N/A | 5.9% |