If a British Columbia election were held today, 43 percent would support the New Democratic Party, with the Liberals and Conservatives tied at 23 percent, according to an Angus Reid Public Opinion poll released today.

Conducted March 29 and 30, it surveyed 800 randomly selected B.C. adults online, the poll also found the Liberals are losing votes to both parties and more than half of respondents said their view of Premier Christy Clark had worsened in the previous three months. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percent.

"The NDP maintains an impressive retention rate, keeping almost nine-in-ten of its voters in 2009 (87 percent)," says a summary. "In stark contrast, the BC Liberals are holding on to just 51 percent of their supporters. One-in-three BC Liberal voters in 2009 (33 percent) are now saying they would vote for the BC Conservatives, and 14 percent are ready to back the NDP."

Respondents gave approval ratings of 45 percent to NDP Leader Adrian Dix, 32 percent to Liberal Leader Clark and 28 percent to Conservative Leader John Cummins.

Green Party Leader Jane Sterk had a 26 percent approval rating, while her party was the choice of eight percent of respondents.

Dix continued to lead as the choice for best premier, with 25 percent, ahead of Clark at 17 percent, Cummins at 12 percent and Sterk at three percent.

Perhaps most significant for Clark was a negative 49 momentum score, based on 53 percent of respondents saying their opinion of her had worsened over the past three months. The other three leaders each scored negative two on the same measure.

The poll is similar to a recent one from Forum Research that found the Liberals and Conservatives tied, and contradicts one Mustel released last week that had the Liberals at 34 percent and the Conservatives at 17.

The next election is scheduled for May 14, 2013.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.