Dave Prentis

Labour is losing the support of the next political generation, finds a trade union survey.

Unison polled 5000 16 to 25 year-olds at this summer's music festivals to find that a youthful prime minister is losing touch with young voters.

Key areas of argument at Labour's Blackpool conference lead concerns among the young - a crucial constituency for a government obsessed with "cool Britannia" and the modern.

Tony Blair's "new Britain" message is not getting through with only 25 per cent prepared to back Labour in a future general election.

And nine out of 10 oppose Blair's plans to give private sector companies a greater role in public sector delivery.

Two thirds said Labour had not improved public services.

None of the main political parties fare well among youth.

The Lib Dems trail Labour by one point in the support stakes while the Conservatives languish on 11 per cent.

Clearly in the lead is the "apathy party" with on 27 per cent of 16 - 25 year-olds saying they would not vote at all in the next general election.

Unison chief, Dave Prentis, cites the survey as evidence that Labour faces a broader challenge outside that from the Blackpool conference floor.

"If Blair thinks all he has to do is win over the union vote on PFI at next week's conference they are sorely mistaken. They face an uphill struggle to convince young voters who believe they've got it wrong," he said."Young people are increasingly losing patience with a government who is seen as out of touch with their concerns and desires."

"If the government continues along the same old lines it risks alienating more young voters and ultimately losing the next election. It's a pretty damning verdict on the parties' performance when more young people would rather not vote at all than cast their vote for Labour."