After the bounce, it's the Brown backlash

VOTERS are turning against Gordon Brown, a new poll shows.

It suggests that Labour's boost in support last year as the Prime Minister took centre stage in tackling the economic crisis is now on the wane.

Just 28 per cent of voters believe Mr Brown is the leader most likely to persuade people to vote Labour at the next general election, according to the survey, and nearly two-thirds of voters believe the party would fare better with another leader.

Mr Brown saw off threatened moves against him last summer, notably by Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

The ICM poll for the Guardian will spark fresh disquiet on the Labour backbenches that their party is heading for a heavy election defeat and that Mr Brown will exacerbate the losses.

David Cameron will be wary that the Conservatives, while 12 points ahead, have still not succeeded in building a bigger lead. The Tories are on 42 per cent, down two per cent on last month, Labour also fell two points to 30 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats up two to 18 per cent.

The Tories are now six points ahead on their general handling of the economy, compared to a 22-point lead for Labour in 2005.

Cabinet ministers, particularly Harriet Harman, are being privately accused by MPs of jockeying for position ahead of a leadership challenge if Labour loses the next election.