Labor's support rate slipped to 27 percent, 16 points behind the opposition Conservatives, amid growing concerns over the government's economic competence, The Sunday Times reported.

Analysts said if the poll results were repeated in a general election, Conservative leader David Cameron would lead his party to victory with an overwhelming majority of 120 seats in the House of Commons, while cabinet ministers including Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling would lose their seats in parliament.

The main cause of the swing to the Conservatives is the collapse of faith in Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Darling's stewardship of the economy, according to the survey.

Eighty-three percent of the respondents believed that the economy will either grow more slowly over the next 12 months or slide into recession.

Only 21 percent of those said they would trust Labor more than the Conservatives in terms of raising the standard of living for their families, with the Tories taking a decisive lead on the issue.

There was widespread skepticism about Darling's tax measures. Some 74 percent of the respondents said the so-called "green" taxation on polluting cars and flights was a "con" and 85 percent said the higher alcohol duty rates would do nothing to curb binge drinking.

The poll result makes it less likely that Brown would call a general election next year, the report said. The general election is due in 2010.


Agencies

Güncelleme Tarihi: 16 Mart 2008, 16:54