Labour support at record high

The election of Tony Blair as Labour leader has helped to boost his party to its highest poll rating - 56 per cent, according to a Times/Mori poll published today. The main shift to Labour has been among middle-class, women and southern voters.

The Labour rating is 5 points higher than at the end of July, and the Tories are unchanged at a record low level of 23 per cent. The Liberal Democrats have dropped 3 points to 18 per cent. Half the public is undecided about Mr Blair's performance as Labour leader but the rest approve. Only 17 per cent are satisfied with John Major as Prime Minister, another record low.