Gordon Brown support slumps

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's political fortunes suffered a new blow as an opinion poll showed support for his ruling Labour Party sliding seven points to 25 per cent.

The ComRes poll for the Independent on Sunday newspaper gives the main Opposition Conservative Party a 16-point lead with its rating at an unchanged 41 per cent. Labour also is only three points ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

Brown, who must call an election by 2010, appeared to be making headway against his rival in recent polls, as voters approved of the steps the Government was taking to tackle the financial crisis.