The election has strengthened the links between the Labour Party and the US Democrats, reports the Times.

Tony Blair has been personally briefed by Joe Trippi, who spearheaded Howard Dean's use of internet campaigning in last year's Democratic primaries.

Other Democrats involved in Labour’s campaign include Karen Hicks, who is running the party's field operations unit, and Mark Penn, an opinion pollster who worked for President Clinton.

Gordon Brown has also been spotted in discussions with the veteran Democratic strategist Bob Shrum.

However, Shrum's record of involvement in eight failed presidential campaigns may offer some hope to the Conservatives.