Labour slumps to record poll low

Labour has recorded its worst rating since polling began according to a YouGov survey for the Sun.

The findings give the Conservatives 49 per cent with Labour trailing on 23 per cent - a gap of 26 points - with the Liberal Democrats on 17.

It follows the governing party's disastrous performance in the recent local and London elections and suggests they could lose the Crewe and Nantwich by-election.

The only crumb of comfort for Gordon Brown may be found in the fact that the poll suggests the party's rating would be even lower if any other leading Labour figure took over the leadership.

The Sun says potential successors Ed Balls, David Miliband, Jack Straw, Harriet Harman, Andy Burnham, Alan Johnson and James Purnell would all make things even worse in voters' eyes.

Meanwhile cabinet minister John Denham has warned Brown that Labour was losing touch with voters in southern England.

The skills secretary said voters were "confused about what we stand for" and urged the prime minister to reconnect with aspirant southern workers who helped propel New Labour to victory in the 1997 election.