Tories increase poll lead

A new opinion poll has given the Conservatives a record 24-point lead among those certain to vote, as Labour hits its lowest rating for more than 30 years.

The Ipsos/MORI survey found that twice as many respondents said they would vote Tory, on 48 per cent, as Labour, on 24.

That is the biggest gap since the pollster's records began in 1977.

It is four points wider than a month ago - with Labour dropping three.

Among all the 1,005 voters polled by telephone, the Tories enjoyed a 14-point lead by 42 per cent to 28 per cent - with the opposition up two on last month.

And with more than three quarters unhappy with the way the government is running the country (76 per cent to 20 per cent), most (58 per cent) now believe David Cameron's party is ready for office.

The Tories remain well ahead on their ability to run the economy (by 38 per cent to 23 per cent), the issue considered most important by voters, with 72 per cent believing things will get still worse in the next year.

And the public now has more faith in them on every aspect of policy - including education (by one point), the environment and housing (three points) - bar health on which Labour is ahead by three.

The poll found 71 per cent dissatisfied with the prime minister's performance, including 39 per cent of Labour supporters.

Cameron, meanwhile, enjoyed a 51 per cent approval rating - supported by all but 14 per cent of his party's supporters - and is considered the more capable to lead the country out of the present economic situation by 50 per cent to 29 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats were up one on 16 per cent among those certain to vote, but down one from 18 to 17 among all those stating a preference.

While a third said leader Nick Clegg was doing a good job compared with 26 per cent stating their dissatisfaction, a larger number (42 per cent) expressed no opinion.