Blears brands Palin 'horrendous'

Ms Blears, the Communities Secretary, suggested that the Republican running mate of John McCain had merely capitalised on people's distaste for regular politics.

Her comments appeared at odds with strenuous efforts by Downing Street to maintain neutrality on the US presidential elections. They also risk poisoning relations with the Republicans, who are still neck-and-neck with Democratic hopeful Barack Obama little more than a month before polling day.

Ms Blears was speaking to a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Manchester when she remarked that politics was increasingly turning people off. "I just think there is so much anti-politics - not just in this country but around the world," she said.

"One of the reasons why Sarah Palin has been such a phenomenon is because she's anti-politics, anti-Washington. Her politics are horrendous, but actually she's struck a chord with people - 'I'm a maverick, I'm not part of those powerful people' - and people identified with that."

Ms Palin, the governor of Alaska, has transformed the fortunes of Mr McCain since being named as his running mate, but also attracts criticism from liberals for her right-wing views and support for creationism.

Ms Blears's comments will be music to the ears of most Labour conference delegates, who feel a natural affinity with the Democrats in the US.

But Gordon Brown has been at pains to dispel any signs of partiality on the part of the Government. On Saturday Downing Street insisted the Government would not be taking sides after Harriet Harman appeared to back the Democrats.

The Labour Party deputy leader said her party was "aligned" with the "progressive" views of the Democrats, although she stressed the Government's position was not to "get involved" in US politics.

Earlier this month, the Prime Minister was accused of favouring Mr Obama after he praised the Democratic contender's proposals to help families, without mentioning Mr McCain.