A MORI poll for the Times reveals a lack of enthusiasm for both the government and opposition triggering renewed fears of a historically low turnout at an expected June 7 election.

A 20 point Labour lead (50 per cent) over the Conservatives (at 30 per cent, down one point) confirm that high dissatisfaction rates for the government performance have yet to be turned in to electoral support by the opposition parties. The Liberal Democrats have also dropped a point to 13 per cent.

The poll also shows that the foot and mouth factor is waning with people's dissatisfaction to satisfaction rating with the government's handling of the epidemic standing at 64 per cent to 27 per cent, an improvement over a previous 69 per cent to 18 per cent adverse ratio a month ago.

Reflecting efforts to bring the disease under control, the number of people regarding the issue as the most important facing the country has declined from 49 per cent to 41 per cent - the same proportion as for the NHS.

The poll indicates that 66 per cent of the public are certain or very likely to vote contrasting with a 78 per cent figure in 1997. Only 50 per cent are certain to turn out compared to 66 per cent four years ago.