New poll shows Labour support at 25-year-low

A survey has shown the Labour party's popularity ratings falling to a 25-year-low.

The poll commissioned by the Sunday Times newspaper puts Labour's approval ratings at 27 per cent, 16 points behind the Tories.

Respondents were asked about their opinions of current ministers as well as proposals announced in the Budget and other government initiatives.

The survey found 59 per cent of voters had a negative impression of Gordon Brown's performance as prime minister with only 33 per cent feeling he had been doing well.

Similarly, 47 per cent of people felt Alistair Darling had not been doing his job well with only 22 per cent of people expressing support for him as chancellor of the exchequer.

However, respondents seemed more upbeat on the policies announced in the Budget with initiatives such as higher taxes on flights, cigarettes and energy inefficient cars proving popular.

But 48 per cent of people were against the higher tax on beer, wine and spirits in comparison to 46 per cent who thought it was a good idea.

People also seemed wary of inflation as 86 per cent believed that prices of food and energy had been rising faster than government statistics revealed.

Gordon Brown's approval ratings have been falling since his decision to call off a Spring general election being following by the collapse of Northern Rock and various missing data problems.

The next major test for the two parties will be in local council elections in May. A national election must be held within the next two years.