Populus on leader image vs party image

There is some new Populus polling in the Times tomorrow. Populus found 28% thought that the party seemed to have changed under David Cameron and "that is why they are doing so much better", with 68%

thinking at the party hadn't changed much and were "doing better mainly just because the Labour Government has become so unpopular". Not, I have to say, I question I particularly like since it's asking about two things. One could easily believe that Cameron had changed the Conservative party, but that the main reason for their poll lead was, nevertheless, that Labour were unpopular (in fact, as regulars will know from reading my big pre-conference round up, that's pretty much my own view - Cameron has changed how his party is seen, but their position in the polls is really down to Labour's unpopularity).

Much more interesting were some questions Populus did with a split sample question to compare how people looked at the parties and their leaders. One half were asked whether they trusted Labour or the Conservatives to make cuts that protected public services, the other half were asked whether they trusted Brown or Cameron to make cuts that protected public services. With the parties Labour lead the Conservatives by 5 points, with the leaders Cameron lead Brown by 3 points.

There was the same pattern when people were asked who would spread the cuts fairly, "so that the best-off bear their share too". Labour lead the Conservatives by 10 points, Cameron lead Brown by 1 point. On minimising public sector job losses Labour led the Conservatives by 16 points, Brown only led Cameron by 11. Depending on your point of view, the questions emphasise how important Cameron is to the Tories... or how much of a drag Brown is to Labour.

There are no voting intentions in the poll - I understand Populus won't be asking them till after conference.