British Conservative leader David Cameron is being forced to defend his leadership amid criticism from members of his own party.
Mr Cameron has come under fire from a number of Conservative figures in recent days for focusing more on public relations than substance, while Labour has enjoyed a revival in the polls under new Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The Tory leader was also criticised for travelling to Rwanda during the recent floods across England that affected parts of his own constituency.
His popularity also suffered when it emerged that the Tory candidate who came a disappointing third in last month's Ealing Southall by-election had donated money to Labour and been photographed with former prime minister Tony Blair days before he was selected.
"I think what is happening is . . . new prime ministers do get a honeymoon and a bounce in the polls . . . I fully predicted and expected that," Mr Cameron told BBC radio.
"But I don't believe the fundamentals have changed. I don't think Gordon Brown can be the change that the country needs."
According to a poll for the Timestoday, support for the Labour Party has risen to 39 per cent, its highest level for 18 months, while the Conservatives fell to 33 per cent, the lowest since Mr Cameron took over as leader.