There was more evidence of a huge surge in Liberal Democrat support tonight - with one poll suggesting the party had taken the lead in a UK general election campaign for the first time in living memory.

The popularity of the British Labour Party has slumped to its lowest level since polling began amid a series of scandals and renewed speculation over Gordon Brown's leadership, it was claimed tonight.

DAVID CAMERON said yesterday a future Conservative administration would find it tough to stick as promised to the British government’s spending plans and could not rule out raising taxes.