Labour has opened up a 15-point lead over the Conservatives in the race for victory at the next general election, according to a poll published today.
The 15-point advantage for Ed Miliband's party is the largest recorded in a mainstream poll during this Parliament and would put Labour on course for a landslide if repeated at the election scheduled for 2015.
However, the Populus poll for The Times also had bad news for Mr Miliband, as a clear majority of those taking part said they would prefer David Cameron to remain Prime Minister.
Some 45% of those questioned said they would vote Labour in an election (up five points since a similar poll in July), well ahead of the Conservatives' 30% (down four) and Liberal Democrats' 10% (down two).
When asked whether they would prefer Mr Miliband or Mr Cameron in 10 Downing Street, just 31% opted for the Labour leader against 60% for the Tory chief.
Of those selecting Mr Cameron as their preferred PM, 23% said they were happy with how he has done the job so far, while the remaining 37% said they were dissatisfied with his performance but thought he would be better than Mr Miliband.
*Populus interviewed 1,510 voters for The Times between September 14 and 16.
