British voters say it's time for change: Survey

LONDON: British voters see the opposition Conservative Party as a government-in-waiting and believe it is 'time for change' after more than 10 years of Labour rule, an opinion poll has said.
 
The most striking finding is that 48 per cent of the British voters agree with the statement that "it's time for change and the next government should be a Conservative one", while only 36 per cent would prefer a Labour administration to a Tory one.
 
The opinion poll for The Independent daily reveals that the opposition leader David Cameron is seen as the best prime minister for Britain, as more likeable than Gordon Brown and as having the best frontbench team.
 
Cameron enjoys a narrow lead, by 39 per cent to 37 per cent, when the public is asked who would be the best Prime Minister for Britain, the survey conducted by ComRes said.
 
The only comfort for the Prime Minister Brown is that he is regarded by 44 per cent of the public as the best person to take the British economy through a tough time in 2008, while 36 per cent prefer the Tory leader.
 
Labour Ministers are worried that 'time for change' will become a potent weapon for Cameron, just as it was for Tony Blair in 1997's election.
 
Previous surveys have suggested a narrower gap when similar questions were asked, raising Labour hopes that there is no great clamour for a Tory government.
 
The findings of the survey will raise Tory expectations that a sea change may now be under way in
Britain.