Populus shows Brown's economic lead faltering

The Times have released a new poll following the PBR. It isn't the first since the PBR, but unlike YouGov's respondents would have had chance to see the media reaction following the PBR and start to digest it. It sadly doesn't have any voting intention figures, but the other questions don't look particular promising for the government.

As in YouGov's poll a large majority backed the new 45% tax band - two thirds tough it was "fair and right". However, it does appear to have sent an unfortunate message: 54% agreed with the statement that it "signals the end of New Labour and a shift to the left". While a majority (51%) disagreed, a very substantial minority (42%) saw it as an attack on "aspiration and entrepeneurship".

The most important question in there though, simply because they have the best chance of giving us the best evidence of which way the headline polling figures, are the tracker questions. Brown continues to lead Cameron on who will be the best leader "right now, to deal with Britain's economy in recession", but his lead has slumped. A fortnight ago he lead Cameron by 20 points, 52% to 32%, now his lead is down to 6 points, 42% to 36%.

We'll see if it is reflected in voting intentions when ICM's poll finally turns up, though the rumour mill is suggesting another big story is brewing...

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