Ray of light for Labour

Finally some good news for Mr Brown, but not that good.

Tuesday, 08, Jul 2008 12:35

Labour has halted its seemingly endless poll-slide, rising three points up to 28 per cent.

The latest results from a Populus poll for the Times taken over the weekend suggests Labour's improvement came at the cost of the Tories, who have dropped four points to 41 per cent.

The drop in Conservative support probably reflects disquiet at recent sleaze allegations against high-profile Tories, with the finances of several party spokespeople, MPs and MEPs coming under the spotlight.

The party's support remains solid however, with 41 per cent still an extremely solid lead.

The Liberal Democrats continue to remain stable, with a one per cent drop in support taking them to 19 per cent. Other parties are on 12 per cent, up three points.

But things are not entirely rosy for Mr Brown. In a finding that will encourage potentially mutinous Labour figures, the prime minister's rating lag below those of the party as a whole.

Sixty-seven per cent of voters regard him as weak and three-quarters see him as a loser, including three-fifths of those who voted Labour in 2005.

Seventy-two per cent of respondents say he is not up to the job of being prime minister, while only 37 per cent think the same of David Cameron.

Reviews of Labour's economic credentials make similarly depressing reading for the ruling party. The Tories have moved into the lead on the subject, although it's fair to say neither party enjoys any real confidence in a policy area most voters realise is partially out of their control. Nevertheless, only 26 per cent say Labour is the best party to manage the economy while 39 per cent think the Tories are.