Public confidence in the UK's prime-minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown just weeks before he takes over at Number 10, a poll showed today.
The Yougov survey for the Daily Telegraphfound 26 per cent believe Mr Brown will be a worse leader than Tony Blair. Only 19 per cent thought he would be better than Mr Blair - the reverse on February last year.
Most said the Chancellor had made "no impression at all" since launching his leadership campaign, with a narrow margin of the rest (22 per cent to 20 per cent) reporting a favourable one.
The poll came after another busy weekend on the stump for Mr Brown and the six people vying for the deputy leadership.
Although he faces no challenge for the top job, Mr Brown is obliged to speak and face questions at the events - which saw unionists gather in Bristol and party members in Sheffield.
However, one senior party figure - the leader of Sheffield council Jan Wilson
- complained that the Prime-Minister-in-waiting was being given an "easy ride".
Health dominated proceedings yesterday after Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain accused cabinet colleagues of "playing like the reserves" on the NHS.
The Northern Ireland Secretary questioned how the Tories had been allowed to get ahead in polls on running the NHS despite record investment and demanded a "fresh start".
Strict limits should be placed on the use of the private sector, he said, and all structural changes put on hold to let frontline staff "get on with the job".
Education Secretary Alan Johnson, Justice Minister Harriet Harman, Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Party Chairwoman Hazel Blears and backbencher Jon Cruddas are all engaged with Mr Hain in a close-fought struggle to succeed John Prescott as deputy leader.
Mr Hain's outspoken criticisms came as one bookmaker rated him the 14/1 outsider in the field of candidates.
Mr Benn is 13/8 favourite with William Hill, ahead of Mr Johnson at 15/8, Ms Blears 9/2, Mr Cruddas 7/1 and Ms Harman 8/1.