Poll suggests 40% want Blair out

Tony Blair plans to go within a year

Two in five people want Prime Minister Tony Blair to leave Downing Street immediately, according to a poll.

An ICM survey of 1,003 people for the Sunday Mirror found 40% said the prime minister should resign now, and 10% said he should be gone by next May.

Deputy leadership contender Harriet Harman said she had privately told Mr Blair when she thought he should go.

But she said Labour should aim at more than just a "stable transition" and have a real debate about policies.

"We must not retreat into our shell, say, 'let's put the lid on, let's keep our heads down'," she said.

'Listen'

Ms Harman, who is backing Gordon Brown for the top job, said there should be no rows or bitter personal attacks within the party.

She added: "The transition should be stable and orderly, but I think we should use the election process for the leadership and deputy as an opportunity to build the party and debate our progressive future."

Ms Harman said the government should listen to the views of Labour members and the public - something which traditionally had not been done on foreign policy.

The ICM poll also indicates support for the Conservatives has slipped, with its expected vote share down three points to 37% in a month.

That still put the Tories ahead of Labour on 33% and the Lib Dems on 21%.

Favourite contenders

The prime minister has said he will stand down within a year, with allies stressing that May is a likely date, to coincide with the polls being held on the third day of that month.

The poll suggests the chancellor remains the favourite to become the next prime minister - he was the preferred choice of one out of every three of those surveyed.

In second place was the Home Secretary, John Reid, named by 7% - not far ahead of his predecessor, Charles Clarke, on 5%.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson had the support of 4% of those polled.

Mr Johnson has voiced interest in the deputy leadership role but has so far refused to confirm whether he will also square up against Mr Brown.

ICM Research interviewed 1,003 people by phone on 13 and 14 September.