Jeremy Corbyn is on course for a thumping victory in the Labour leadership election after taking a 32-point lead over his nearest rival, according to a new poll from YouGov.
The left-wing candidate is poised to win in the first round of voting having polled 53 per cent of the vote - a 10 per cent surge on a month ago.
Mr Corbyn, who wants Trident scrapped and industries re-nationalised, has pulled well ahead of Andy Burnham on 21 per cent, Yvette Cooper on 18 per cent of the vote, and Liz Kendall with just eight per cent.
At the start of the contest Mr Corbyn, who had to rely on nominations from Labour MPs who do not now back him to get on the nomination paper, was a 200-1 outsider but is now the bookies' favourite.
Writing in The Times, which published the poll, YouGov President Peter Kellner has said he would be "astonished" if Mr Corbyn did not win the leadership race but added: "I have seldom released a poll with as much trepidation as I have done this time.”
The poll industry took a battering after failing to predict the Tory majority at the general election, leaving many distrustful of their surveys.
While Mr Corbyn had taken the lead in recent weeks, many felt he may lose as votes are redistributed until a candidate gets over 50%. However, on this showing the Islington North MP could win on first preferences alone.
The vote for the next Labour leader begins on Friday. The result will be announced on September 12.
Thousands have joined the party through a £3 membership fee that would have allowed him to take part in the vote as "registered supporters", but some fear hard-left activists have infiltrated the party in an attempt to Mr Corbyn's chances.
The polling shows about 67 per cent of trade union affiliates support Mr Corbyn, compared with 55 per cent of registered supporters who paid £3 to vote, and 49 per cent of full Labour members.
Senior Labour figures have attempted to halt the Corbyn juggernaut, with Alan Johnson fearing "madness" and Alastair Campbell today calling for ABC - Anyone But Corbyn - or risk self-destruction.