The British Labour Party's lead over the Conservatives has jumped to 15 points in February - an increase of five points in the last month - according to a poll published today by the Guardiannewspaper.
The paper also said the poll has put new pressure on the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair to consider calling an early general election on April 5th.
The election is expected to be held on May 3rd.
The February Guardian/ICM poll published today says Labour's lead is at its highest level for more than a year but also indicates voters who say they are certain to vote has dropped by three points since January.
According to the paper the poll underlines the party's fears that "stay-at-homes" pose the main threat to the scale of its second-term victory.
The poll shows despite the resignation of Mr Peter Mandelson, former Northern Ireland Secretary, and the sale of the Dome this month, Labour is up three points to 47 per cent while the Tories are down two points to 32 per cent.
The poll revealed 33 per cent regard Labour as the best party to manage the economy with only 16 per cent holding the Tories would be more competent on an issue traditionally one of their strengths.
The poll also shows that 64 per cent believe Mr Blair was right to ask for the resignation of Mr Peter Mandelson as Northern Ireland Secretary. Only 14 per cent of voters say he was wrong.
- ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,000 adults by telephone from February 16th-18th. Interviews were also conducted across Britain and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.