Poll shows Labour ratings in post-Budget slide

A new poll has revealed a marked slide in Labour's approval ratings following the Budget.

Chancellor Alistair Darling's cautious Budget reflected growing concern over the credit crunch and since then Labour has slipped by four points, according to a survey for the Independent newspaper.

The study carried out by John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, put Labour on 30 per cent while the Conservative party has climbed to 41 per cent.

The six surveys prior to the Budget had also put the Tories ahead of Labour, but to a lesser extent, with previous polls placing David Cameron's party on 39 per cent with Labour on 34 per cent.

"It has been a torrid month for Labour," said Professor Curtice. "Labour has suffered since the Budget and it seems to be suffering from the economy."

Were the new poll's results to be repeated at a general election, the Conservatives would win an overall majority with 343 MPs compared to Labour's 240, the Liberal Democrats' 37 and 30 for other parties.

The study also made unfortunate reading for the chancellor, Professor Curtice explained.

It represents the third occasion on which a major speech on his part had led to a fall in approval ratings, with a two-point drop after his pre-Budget report and a five-point slide following the announcement of the loss of the personal details of some 25 million child benefit claimants.

"Labour now faces the real danger that the economy is becoming an issue that works to the Tories' advantage for the first time since 1992," Professor Curtice added.