Brash out of favour with voters

National Leader Don Brash has slumped to his lowest rating, with just 13 per cent of New Zealanders wanting him as their preferred prime minister.

The embattled Brash, who has faced continuous rumours of a plan to dump him as leader, dropped five points in the 3 News TNS poll as the Labour government surged ahead in the party vote. The poll showed Labour up four points to 46 per cent of the party vote and National down two points to 39 per cent.

The results were good news for Prime Minister Helen Clark who has rushed to London to be by the side of her husband, whose father is seriously ill.

Miss Clark, who said Labour had bounced back after a post-Budget lull, also moved four points up the preferred Prime Minister rankings, to 38 per cent.

Dr Brash said the poll was "well out of step" with the reception he was getting in the community.

"The public are fed up with a Government that doesn't take responsibility when the lights go out, they're fed up that Kiwis are being culled from waiting lists, and they're angry about the extra costs Government is loading on to ratepayers."

As Labour celebrated its history with a series of parties this week, the Prime Minister again put the caucus on notice of the rejuvenation needed to win another term in power.

Miss Clark left for Britain last night to join Peter Davis and his gravely ill father, and planned to return to New Zealand on Friday.

A spokesman said she preferred further details of the visit to remain private.