Poll: Labour split is worse than Tories under Major

Labour is now seen by a majority of people as more divided than the Conservatives during the government headed by John Major, according to an opinion poll for The Independent.

The survey by CommunicateResearch found that 56 per cent of voters see Labour as more divided than the Tories during the Major government, which was racked by bitter divisions over Europe. Only 22 per cent regard Labour as more united. More than a quarter of Labour supporters (27 per cent) believe that Labour is more divided than the Conservatives were in 1992-1997.

The findings will worry senior Labour figures after a week in which Tony Blair's authority was undermined by the resignation of eight junior government members who want him to stand down now. But there is no sign of an end to the turmoil. Blair critics may demand an emergency meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party as early as next week in an attempt to force Mr Blair out immediately.

Labour MPs said yesterday's attack on Gordon Brown by Charles Clarke, the former home secretary, showed the infighting would stop only when Mr Blair stands down. "Labour can't afford another week of this, let alone months of it," said one Blair critic.

The Independent's survey of 1,010 people, conducted on Wednesday and Thursday, suggests that Mr Blair will be regarded as a better prime minister than Sir John Major, but not as good as Margaret Thatcher.

Some 47 per cent of people expect history to judge Mr Blair a worse prime minister than Baroness Thatcher, including supporters of the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and other parties. Only 30 per cent think he will be seen as a better one.

But 48 per cent think he will be judged better than Sir John. They include 37 per cent of Tory supporters. Only 26 per cent believe Sir John will be viewed as a better prime minister than Mr Blair.

Some 54 per cent of people expect Gordon Brown to succeed Mr Blair as Labour leader, way ahead of his closest rival John Reid, the Home Secretary, on 6 per cent. Among Labour supporters, there is an even greater expectancy. Some 68 per cent think he will take over, with 4 per cent predicting Mr Reid.

The poll found strong evidence that the public will want an early general election after the change of prime minister. Seven out of 10 people think there should be an election within a year.

Some 35 per cent think the new Prime Minister should seek a fresh mandate immediately, with a further 35 per cent believing that he should do so within six months to a year. Only 18 per cent believe the election should be delayed beyond that.

Tory supporters are much keener on an early election, perhaps a reflection of their confidence in the leadership of David Cameron. Fifty-two per cent) believe the new Prime Minister should go to the country immediately and a further 34 per cent want an election after six to 12 months. But only 16 per cent of Labour supporters favour an immediate election, with 39 per cent saying it should happen six to 12 months after he takes office.

Mr Blair will add his voice to calls for a wide-ranging debate about Labour's future at the 10th anniversary conference of the Labour modernisers' group Progress today.

CommunicateResearch interviewed 1,010 adults online on 6-7 September. Data were weighted to be representative of all adults. CommunicateResearch is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. The full findings can be viewed at www.communicateresearch.com.