A radiation-sensitive composition and negative-working imageable element includes a polymeric binder comprising pendant allyl ester groups to provide solvent resistance, excellent digital speed (sensitivity) and can be imaged and developed without a preheat step to provide lithographic printing plates. The polymeric binder can be prepared with a precursor polymer having pendant carboxy groups that are converted to allyl ester groups using an allyl-containing halide in the presence of a base in order to avoid gelation.