The latest YouGov poll for the Sunday Times makes depressing reading for Gordon Brown ahead of the coming week’s key by-election test in Crewe & Nantwich.
The Tories have a 20-point national poll lead, up from 16 a month ago. Labour is on just 25% of the vote (down 2), with the Tories at 45% (up 2) and the Liberal Democrats on 18%, also up 2.
David Cameron is beginning to move towards the kind of poll leads that Tony Blair enjoyed before his landslide victory in 1997.
The prime minister’s personal ratings have plunged further. Only 17% think he is doing a good job while 78% say he is doing badly. His negative rating of 61% compares with John Major’s low point of minus 63% in 1995.
Previously, voters had regarded Brown as strong and “good in a crisis” compared with Cameron, while the Tory leader won on charisma. Now Brown has lost his advantage on these attributes and 59% of voters say he should step down before the next election. By three to one, 69% to 21%, they say he is not up to the job of being prime minister. Only 8% think he can secure a Labour victory at the next election.
However a replacement leader would not transform Labour’s fortunes. Only 14% think Labour could win even if Brown is replaced.
Jack Straw and David Miliband emerge as the only serious contenders, with 14% and 12% respectively and Miliband in the lead among Labour voters. But 55% of people say they don’t know who should be the next Labour leader.
Last week’s U-turn on tax has not gone down well with voters. The Tories now have a two-to-one lead on the question of economic competence. Only 17% think Alistair Darling is up to the job of chancellor.
Just 23% think the £2.7 billion giveaway was the product of a government strong enough to admit its errors. While 36% say the tax move was sensible and necessary, 47% say it was a cynical ploy ahead of the by-election.

Bad news for Gordon Brown as Tories gain 20-point opinion poll lead - Times Online

The Great British public were not fooled by Brown's desperate Bribe or his half hearted re-launch , it appears Labour are finished bring on the by-election