Gordon Brown faces an uphill struggle to woo back Labour supporters with this autumn’s relaunch, as a majority of the UK public placed the blame for the country’s economic downturn at the door of his government.

The British prime minister has repeatedly emphasised the global nature of the downturn, portraying the UK as relatively well placed to weather the crisis under his stewardship. Mr Brown’s allies have responded to threats to his leadership by emphasising his economic credentials.