New Poll in the News of the World

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By Andrew Woodcock, PA Chief Political Correspondent Gordon Brown is the clear favourite to be the next Prime Minister, ahead of Conservative rival David Cameron, according to a poll released today.The survey for tomorrow's News of the World puts Brown a commanding 12 points ahead of Cameron as voters' preferred successor to Tony Blair in 10 Downing Street. Some 45% of those taking part chose the Chancellor as the best PM, against 33% for his probable opponent at the general election expected in 2009 or 2010. The result suggests that, despite giving the Tories a sustained lead in the polls since his election in December, Mr Cameron still has a significant mountain to climb before he can be confident of seizing power from Labour. The detailed results of the ICM poll indicate that, while Mr Cameron has to a great extent succeeded in presenting himself as a likeable personality, he is yet to persuade voters of his leadership abilities. Respondents rated Cameron as more presentable than Brown - by an overwhelming 61% to 22% - as well as more likeable and less arrogant. More said they would like to go for a drink with Cameron than with Brown, and a majority said they thought the Tory leader was more likely to stop what he was doing to help them out. Some 54% thought the Chancellor would avoid paying for a round of drinks, compared to 21% for Cameron. But Brown was rated most in touch with the issues that matter by a margin of seven points, most trustworthy (by 11 points) and the best leader (by seven points). Asked who looked most like a Prime Minister, those taking part in the poll plumped for Mr Brown by a margin of 43% to 40%. :: ICM Research interviewed 1,025 adults between February 23 and 25.