THERESA May has INCREASED her polling lead over Jeremy Corbyn - despite suffering one of the darkest periods of her leadership.

The Tories now have a five-point lead over Labour, according to a new survey by YouGov.

The poll puts Mrs May on course to win a Commons majority despite facing a string of challenges from her own MPs.

The PM also holds a huge lead over Mr Corbyn personally - with many more Brits saying they want her in Downing Street than the Labour boss.

Today's YouGov poll puts the Tories on 41 per cent, with Labour trailing on 36 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 9 per cent.

Translated into Commons seats, that would be enough for the Conservatives to hold a parliamentary majority.

The five-point lead is one up from the last YouGov poll carried out a week earlier.

38 per cent of those surveyed said they thought Mrs May would make the best Prime Minister.

Only 24 per cent backed Mr Corbyn, with 35 per cent opting for Don't Know.

The Tories are trusted by the public to be the best party on the economy, defence, law and order, and Brexit.

But Labour still hold a lead on the NHS, education and housing.

In a blow to the PM, just 1 per cent of respondents said they think Brexit negotiations are going "very well".

By contrast, 38 per cent said the talks are going "very badly".

Overall 42 per cent of Brits think it was right for the country to vote Leave in the 2016 referendum, with 45 per cent disagreeing.