Cretin 2009

Labour's popularity has slumped to its lowest level since polling began in 1943 amid a series of scandals and renewed speculation over Gordon Brown's leadership.

Research for the Mail on Sunday found the Labour party's support had dropped three points over the past month to just 23% - even lower than when Michael Foot was leader of the Labour party in the 1980s.

The dire position was reinforced by a separate YouGov poll for the Sunday Times, which suggested Labour's support had tumbled 7% to 27% - 16 points behind the Conservatives.

The news is likely to heighten anxiety among Labour MPs over whether Crash Gordon is the right man to lead them.