Women voters turn to Brown giving Labour 11-point lead

The latest poll, released last night, has intensified pressure on the Prime Minister to go for a November election.

Labour is now on 44 per cent, way ahead of the Conservatives on 33.

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It is the party's biggest lead since the weeks following its 2005 election victory, and the strongest since Mr Brown took over as leader. Among women voters, the gap is even more dramatic at 16 percentage points.

The findings, in a YouGov survey for Channel Four News, are a shattering blow to David Cameron ahead of his conference in Blackpool next week, which is increasingly being seen as a make-orbreak-test of his leadership.

If repeated at a general election, such a lead would translate into a massive majority of up to 170 - greater than the 165-seat landslide that swept Labour to power in 1997.

The figures also made grim reading for the Liberal Democrats, putting them down three points on 13 per cent, their lowest since Charles Kennedy was ejected as leader in 2006.

Mr Brown's allies welcomed the findings as an endorsement of their strategy to target what is becoming known as 'Brown Conservatives'.

They claimed that his emphasis on 'bread and butter' issues such as education, health and gun crime appealed to women.

The news that they are flocking to Mr Brown will be seen as a further sign that the Tories are losing the support of socalled 'Worcester Woman', seen by polling experts as a vital group of traditionalist voters in Middle Britain.

Worcester Woman, considered previously a Tory voter, emerged as an electoral force in 1997 when she helped elect Tony Blair.

Mr Brown's landmark meeting with Lady Thatcher in Downing Street a fortnight ago was seen by Labour insiders as a way of demonstrating the Prime Minister's status as a conviction politician who can attract Tory voters.

In the past the Conservatives have been able to count on the support of women voters because of their long-standing support for family values and security, said to be female concerns.

The poll results helped put the seal on a triumphalist Labour conference where ministers and delegates are pressing Mr Brown to exploit what they say is Tory disarray and call a snap poll.

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Senior voices who have been warning that an autumn election is too risky are being drowned out by younger party figures hungry for a fight with the Tories.

Mr Brown's pollster Deborah Mattinson has commissioned detailed surveys in a range of marginal constituencies to establish the reliability of anecdotal evidence from optimistic MPs who say they could increase their majorities.

The Prime Minister will study the findings this weekend to see if the traditional conference bounce enjoyed by parties when they are in the headlines will last.

He and his team will also keep an eye on the Tories at Blackpool to see if Mr Cameron successfully holds his nerve and gives his party a desperately-needed confidence boost.

Sources close to Mr Brown said the position had not changed since weekend speculation that an election is imminent.

The probability of an autumn poll is said to remain 60-40 against, but more and more senior people in the party are urging the Prime Minister to seize his chance.