Online poll from TNS shows large lead for 'Leave'

The last poll of voting intentions from TNS before Thursday's EU referendum gave the 'Leave' camp a narrow lead, but a far larger one if one assumed that the pattern of voter turnout would mimic that seen in the last general elections.

Of the 2,320 adults polled on-line between 16 and 22 June, 43.0% said they backed 'Leave' against 41.0% who said they supported 'Remain', according to TNS.

However, Luke Taylor, head of social and political attitudes at TNS, cautioned that "a late swing to the status quo" was possible, as occurred during Scotland's referendum and that for Quebec.

Furthermore, levels of turnout would be crucial, Taylor said.

Indeed, using a turnout model from the last general election the pollster concluded that 'Leave' could expect to garner 49.0% of the vote, against just 42.0% for 'Remain', Bloomberg reported.

The poll followed another online survey by Opinium, which showed Leave gain one point to take a lead of 45%-44% with Remain unchanged.

Two further polls were scheduled for release on Wednesday evening, one from ComRes and another from YouGov.

According to the Electoral Commission a record 46.5m Britons had registered to vote.