Tony Blair has indicated his confidence that Labour is set to remain the dominant party in British politics.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the prime minister said the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were yet to find the "big argument" to defeat Labour.

While analysts suggest Labour will struggle in Thursday's elections, Blair rejected suggestions that the tide is turning against Labour.

"I think these things change when a big argument comes back the other way that wins," he said.

"That is what happened with us before 1997. New Labour was a winning political argument.

"For the first time you had the Labour Party, a progressive political party, saying you can combine economic efficiency with social justice.

"I don't notice that coming back from either of the two main parties now.

"When that happens, when you actually see that big argument come the other way, then I think you are at a moment of change, but I don't notice that at the moment."

His comments came as a Populus poll for the Times suggested that Labour could gain the most support in Thursday's elections.

But it found that the two main parties may win no more than half the total votes cast in the local and European ballots.

Turnout may be about a third of the eligible electorate, with Labour and the Conservatives together winning the backing of about one in six adults.

The Liberal Democrats, in third place, and the UK Independence Party could gain more members of the European parliament.

According to the survey, Tory support in the European elections could fall from 36 per cent in 1999 to around 24 per cent.

Labour could slip from 28 to between 25 and 26 per cent, while the Lib Dems are on course to achieve between 16 and 18 points.

The UKIP could see its support rise from seven to around 13 per cent, implying an increase on its present total of three MEPs.