An internal Labour party poll has put the party further ahead of the Conservatives than it was at the start of the election campaign.

The poll, conducted by NOP, puts Labour on 46 per cent, up two from the campaign outset, the Tories unchanged on 26 per cent, and the Lib Dems up three at 16 per cent. If translated into seats the poll gives Labour an increased majority from 179 to 241.

The poll also gives Labour leads of around 20 per cent on the issues of the economy, tax and living standards and big leads on Europe and leadership.

The poll data was released by Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair' official spokesman, in an unusual move thought to be intended to steady Labour nerves for the closing stages of the campaign and attributed by the Mail to a desire to overshadow French PM, Lionel Jospin's European speech.