Despite a new set of poor poll ratings, Labour's annual conference has been told that the party could stay in power "for a generation".

Party chairman Ian McCartney made the claim on Sunday amid newspaper opinion polls suggesting support for the party was hitting new lows.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair pledged to focus on key domestic issues in a bid to shore up the party's support.

A Populus survey for the News of the World put support for Labour on just 28 per cent, compared with 29 per cent for the Liberal Democrats and 32 per cent for the Conservatives.

But a separate Communicate Research poll for the Independent on Sunday suggested that Labour held a narrow lead, with support at 32 per cent against 30 per cent for the Tories and 27 per cent for the Lib Dems.

And a third MORI poll in the Observer put the Conservatives on 33 per cent, Labour on 32 per cent and the Lib Dems on 25 per cent.

Despite the findings, McCartney insisted the party could win an historic third election victory.

"All general elections are important and sadly in the past, we have won too few of them," he told the Brighton conference.

"However, we are the first generation of Labour Party members who have secured two full terms of a Labour government.

"If we are hungry enough, ambitious enough, if we leave Brighton inspired and motivated we can together make history.

"We can be the first Labour Party members to govern for a generation.

"In power for a generation - not for its own sake, but for a purpose - to create a society of opportunity for the many, not just the privileged few."

Also speaking on Sunday, the prime minister indicated that domestic issues rather than the war in Iraq would form the core of the party's re-election bid.

"This week will see us set out a very strong agenda for the future," Blair told the BBC.

"We have got a very strong economy. We have got massive investment going into our public services but there's still a massive amount to do."

Among the plans to be announced are moves to "eradicate the remainder of youth unemployment", he added.

There will also be proposals on pensions, child-care and expanding access to further education.

Blair said the aim was to offer the public "excellent public services not just the basics".

He also denied that he had a"wobble" earlier this year and had considered resigning.

"I'm not the wobbling sort. Part of the trouble when you are existing at our level in politics is there's a huge interest in what I call the soap opera of politics. You just get on with the job," he said.

"I'm restless to do more and to do better. I think we have done a good job for the country... but there's more to do."