Half of voters want Tories in power

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The ComRes survey for The Independent also found that more people think Tory leader David Cameron would make a better prime minister than Gordon Brown.

But the poll gives some comfort to Labour, providing further evidence that they are slowly closing the Tories' overall poll lead despite continued difficulties for the Government.

While Conservative support stands at 41%, up one since last month, Labour's is up three to 30%, narrowing the gap from 13 points to 11. The Liberal Democrats are down two to 16%.

The trend is similar to that in an ICM survey for The Guardian, which showed the gap between the main two parties had closed from six to five percentage points. But the new ComRes figures, if repeated in a general election, would still give the Tories a Commons majority of about 46.

The poll also indicates a groundswell of support for a change of administration, with 48% agreeing that "it's time for change and the next government should be a Conservative one".

Only 36% would prefer a Labour government.

Mr Cameron is backed by 39% of voters to make the best prime minister, compared to 37% for Mr Brown. The Tory leader is also regarded as the most likeable by 51%, only 31% liking the Prime Minister most.

However, 44% think Mr Brown is best able to steer Britain through the current economic turbulence, compared to 36% for Mr Cameron.

ComRes telephoned 1,004 British adults between December 14 and 16, weighting data by past vote recall.