Poll raises doubts over Brown

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Research by YouGov for the Daily Telegraph found that the Tories currently lead Labour by 37% to 32%.

However, the gap stretched to 10% - 45% to 35% - when people were asked whether they would prefer to see the Chancellor or Mr Cameron as Prime Minister.

The Conservatives also hold a narrow advantage on whom voters trust to run the economy - compared to the last election when they were 22% behind.

The findings will be a blow to Mr Brown as Labour prepares for elections next week in which it is expected to sustain heavy losses.

It is the first time YouGov polls have put the Tories ahead for 12 consecutive months since Margaret Thatcher was in Downing Street in the late 1980s.

The chances of Mr Brown facing a contest for the leadership also increased.

It is understood that the two declared candidates from the left of the party, former environment minister Michael Meacher and John McDonnell, have agreed that one of them will withdraw.

They are expected to meet on the day Mr Blair announces his departure, and compare how much backing they have among Labour MPs.

The candidate with the fewest nominations will then step aside and offer their support, boosting the prospect that the other can garner the 45 nominations required to be entered in the ballot.