Support for Labour is halved among top union's members

The leader of Britain's biggest union has revealed that support for Labour among its members has halved, and claimed that Gordon Brown is in part to blame.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the two million-strong Unite, said that the Prime Minister needs to address the 'issues that are prime to them' to win them back.

'The key, of course, is will Gordon have the nous to deliver the kind of message that would reconnect with those disillusioned Labour supporters?' he said.

'If he does, Labour will win the next election, if he doesn't, I think those who are saying the next government will be a Conservative one are very probably right.'

On Channel 4 News, Mr Simpson called on Mr Brown to adopt the methods of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama.

'I would say to Gordon, "Why don't you listen to Obama's speech, go and listen to what Obama is saying about jobs and pensions and the things that matter to people? Try just talking".'

Asked if the Prime Minister is a help or hindrance, Mr Simpson replied: 'He is capable of being both.'

He said Mr Brown is more approachable than Tony Blair but lacks the 'charisma and charm and ease' of the former PM.

Backing Mr Brown to stay as leader, he said: 'I don't think we would be doing better under Tony. I think Tony Blair as an individual would appear to be handling things better, but I don't think the result would be any better.'

Unite, which was formed through a merger of the Transport and General Workers Union and Amicus, has injected such large sums into Labour that it has effectively saved the party from bankruptcy.