Opinion poll saves Ming

MUTTERINGS about Ming Campbell's leadership have been the main noises off in Brighton this week. Some delegates are not happy with the lack of progress the party is making - indeed the Lib Dems seem to be inreverse gear.

However, today's opinion poll in The Guardian has some comfort for the Lib Dem leader - voters have turned against the Tories and David Cameron to such an extent that Sir Ming is rated more popular than poor old Dave. It's good news for the Lib Dems, who now stand at 20% to the Tories' 32% and Labour's 40%.

An early election is still being talked about. I'm not so sure, although the temptation for Gordon Brown is that it is likely he would win handsomely and then plunge the Conservatives into fresh turmoil.

But there is no need for an election - Labour has a large working majority and there is still two and a half years to go before another election need be held. Cautious Gordon might wonder if the voters will turn on him for making them undertake an unnecessary trip to the polling station.