(dpa) - The initial support among Britons for the transition of the Blair era to Prime Minister Gordon Brown appears to be giving way to growing scepticism of his leadership qualities, an opinion poll published in the Times newspaper showed Tuesday.
The Populus poll showed that just over a third of voters regard Brown as a worse prime minister than his predecessor Tony Blair, who stepped down last summer.
Brown has been accused of indecisiveness by critics over a number of issues, but especially over his decision not to call an early election in October after seeming to have encouraged such a step.
The poll comes ahead of important local elections in London and parts of England in early May. It shows the ruling Labour Party trailing behind the opposition Conservatives, who are gaining in support.
Popular backing for Labour is placed at 39 per cent, while support for Labour has fallen one point to 33 per cent.