Brown gets poll bounce after conference speech

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Labour Party conference speech proved an instant hit with voters, according to a new opinion poll which shows Labour gaining seven points to halve the Conservative party's lead.

The survey, conducted by YouGov after Tuesday’s address, but before news broke of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly’s decision to quit, puts the PM’s party on 31%.

More of the electorate said they wanted him to remain in Downing Street, although it is still less than half at 39%, but 60% do not believe he understands what ordinary people are going through.

The Tories, whose conference begins on Sunday in Birmingham, are down three at 41% but remain 10 points in front before David Cameron has made his own keynote speech.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who last week committed his party to tax cuts, will be disappointed to see his party drop three points to 16%.

Internet pollster YouGov questioned 1,536 people.