Both Labour and the Conservatives have lost support since this time last year, a new Populus poll for the Times has found.

Labour support is unchanged since last month at 32 per cent, representing a seven-point drop since September 2003.

The Tories have fallen by two points over the past month to 30 per cent, compared with 34 per cent a year ago.

The Liberal Democrats, up two points over the past month to 26 per cent, are seven points up on last year.

Taking all published polls since April, the Tories are now doing no better under Michael Howard (averaging 33 per cent) than in the same period last year under Iain Duncan Smith (33.3 per cent).