By KUNA,
London : British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s conference speech proved an instant hit with voters, according to a new opinion poll published here Thursday, which shows Labour gaining seven points to halve the main opposition Conservative lead.
The survey, conducted by pollsters “YouGov” after Brown’s address to the annual Labour party conference last Tuesday, but before news broke of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly’s decision to quit, puts the Prime Ministers party on 31 percent.
More of the electorate said they wanted him to remain in Downing Street, although it is still less than half at 39 percent, but 60 percent do not believe he understands what ordinary people are going through.
The Conservatives, whose annual party conference begins this Sunday in Birmingham, central England, are down three points at 41percent, but remain 10 points in front before leader David Cameron has made his own keynote speech.
The smaller opposition Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who last week committed his party to tax cuts, will be disappointed to see his party drop three points to 16 percent, commentators said.
Before Labour’s annual gathering in Manchester, northern England, Brown was facing a revolt from rebel MPs who are worried that his popularity rating has sunk to new lows, they added.
There were also reports of plots to oust him from a number of junior ministers and Labour MPs.