A third of voters could desert Labour

Over a third of people who voted for Labour in 2001 are not committed to voting for the party this time around.

A Mori survey for the GMB reveals that 11 per cent of 2001 Labour voters have moved to the Liberal Democrats, six per cent to the Conservatives, and four per cent to another party.

A further group of 14 per cent are either undecided, would not vote or refused to answer the question.

The survey also examined the opinions of 2001 Labour voters on the war in Iraq. It found only 13 per cent of Labour loyalists saw Iraq as a central issue, but rises to 27 per cent among non Labour loyalists, and 33 per cent among those who have switched to the Lib Dems.