2009 election edges closer as PM slashes Tory poll lead

THE prospect of a 2009 General Election increased today when a new opinion poll confirmed that Labour had slashed the Tories' poll lead.

The ICM/Guardian survey showed a dramatic fall in Conservative support in the past month as Gordon Brown benefited from public approval of his handling of the recession.

The poll put David Cameron's party on 38 per cent to Labour's 33 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats on 19 per cent. The Tories had lost seven points in just four weeks.

If a General Election were to be held today, the figures suggest the Conservatives would have more votes but probably fewer seats than Labour and Mr Brown could hold on to power with a minority government.

The poll also reinforced recent findings that the Prime Minister was significantly more trusted than his rival to steer the British economy through the recession, with 35 per cent saying they believed he was the best leader to get finances back on track while just 24 per cent favoured Mr Cameron's approach to the economic crisis.

Mr Brown was also seen as the more "honest" leader.

The poll follows days of renewed speculation that Labour is again considering a general election next year.