Poll cuts Tory lead... but before Kelly quit

A second opinion poll in a week shows Gordon Brown has managed to cut David Cameron's lead.

Labour jumped seven points to 31 per cent after the Prime Minister's conference speech, according to a YouGov survey in the Sun.

However, the instant poll was taken when Mr Brown was still on a high from his speech but before the chaotic aftermath when Ruth Kelly's resignation was leaked.

The Conservatives slipped three to 41 per cent, giving a reduced Tory lead of 10 points.

A weekend poll gave the Tories a 12-point lead, down from previous runaway leads of more than 20 points. But the key test will be after all three parties have held their annual gatherings.

Half of Labour's gains came from Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, down three to 16 per cent.

Four in 10 voters wanted Mr Brown to stay on as Prime Minister but six in 10 believe he does not understand what ordinary people are going through in the current economic crunch.