The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour party is set to lose more than half its lawmakers at the next election and hand control of parliament to the opposition Conservatives, a poll said Saturday. A survey of marginal constituencies for the News of the World newspaper suggests that with current levels of support, Labour could lose 164 of its 349 MPs at the next election, and the Tories would have a 78-seat majority. Brown appeared to be closing the Tories' lead in opinion polls following a well-received speech to his party conference last month and his handling of the economic crisis, but the results suggest he has yet to win over voters. A similar survey for the News of the World this time last year predicted Labour would lose 49 seats in the next election, due by 2010. Pollsters interviewed 1,004 people in 192 Labour-held constituencies where Conservative candidates need a swing of 15 percent or less to win-the marginal seats where elections are usually decided. Forty-three percent of people questioned in those areas said they would vote Conservative, 34 percent would vote Labour and 15 percent for the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats.

Half thought Tory leader David Cameron would make the best premier, compared to 35 percent for Brown. Respondents also said Cameron had the best policies.

But when asked who could best guide Britain through the credit crunch, 43 percent named Brown and 35 percent named Cameron.

This suggests the warning from Brown, who served as finance minister for 10 years before becoming prime minister, that it was no time for a "novice" to be in charge-a clear reference to Cameron-has hit home. The survey was carried out by ICM by telephone between October 1 and 3.