The British Labour government's lead over the Conservatives has nearly halved during one of the most difficult periods in power for the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, according to an opinion poll published yesterday.
As the government published its third annual report proclaiming "steady progress" towards achieving its manifesto commitments, if acknowledging much more needed to be done, a Gallup opinion poll showed Labour had lost four points, while the Tories gained five points, since early June.
The poll, published in the Daily Telegraph, showed that support for the Conservatives is at its highest since Black Wednesday in 1992.
Gallup's political index of opinion during the last four weeks showed the Conservatives standing at 35 per cent with Labour on 45 per cent. But Labour is still 10 points ahead of the Conservatives.
However, Labour's 19-point lead, which was recorded by Gallup in early June, has fallen by four points while the Conservatives have gained five points over the same period.
The Gallup poll is a "snapshot" poll, but it is undoubtedly a reaction to a tough period for Labour during which commentators have described the Blair administration as "looking increasingly like John Major's in its last years".
Public disquiet over the government's position on the euro, rising fuel prices and high-profile job losses has deepened dissatisfaction with Labour, according to the poll. For the first time since the 1997 general election, according to the poll, more people - 49 per cent - are "dissatisfied" with Mr Blair's performance than are satisfied, 47 per cent.
Included in those figures, 65 per cent of Liberal Democrats and 22 per cent of Labour voters are dissatisfied with the Prime Minister's performance.
As Mr Blair's personal rating has fallen, however, the Conservative leader, Mr William Hague, has improved his standing with the public.
Asked by Gallup "Who would make the best prime minister?" the voters responded by handing Mr Hague a 2.7-point increase from May to June, with his personal rating rising from 17.5 to 20.2.
Despite this recent poor showing, Labour has led the Conservatives in the Gallup poll over the last eight years, and no post-war government has ever led the opposition by 10 points before a general election and then gone on to lose it.