By Lesley Foottit - 13th October 2009
Support for the Conservatives has dipped following their annual party conference, according to a Populus poll.
The Tories dropped one point, but still retain a significant lead with support standing at 40 per cent.
Labour gained three points but still lags behind on 30 per cent.
The new poll, for the Times, is the smallest gap between the leading parties since January, and Labour highest rating since April.
However, polls carried out recently by YouGov and ICM showed that the Conservatives had drawn further ahead in the ratings following the conference season.
Support for the Liberal Democrats remained steady at 18 per cent and backing for the other parties decreased to 12 per cent.
The Populus poll also showed that faith in Gordon Brown has waned further, with only 30 per cent of respondents agreeing that he is the best candidate for prime minister, whereas 45 per cent backed David Cameron.
And in a boost for the Conservatives, 41 per cent had confidence in Cameron and shadow chancellor George Osborne to lead the country out of the recession, compared to just 28 per cent citing Brown and chancellor Alistair Darling.
Some 57 per cent predicted a Tory victory at the next general election, compared with only 16 per cent expecting Labour to win a fourth term.
Conservative support is high amongst retired voters, with 49 per cent backing the Tories.
Following keynote Osborne's conference speech, 43 per cent of respondents believe that a Tory government would make cuts that would better serve the voters.
However, more voters think that Labour would do better at limiting public sector job losses.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd