Fresh questions have been raised over Gordon Brown's leadership after a poll found he was regarded as an electoral liability.
Nearly two-thirds of voters believe that Labour would do better with someone else in charge, according to ICM research for the Guardian.
The survey also showed the Conservatives maintaining a healthy 12-point advantage over Labour, by 42% to 30%, with the Liberal Democrats on 18%.
The bleak figures follow a spate of renewed speculation over the Prime Minister's position, with reports that Cabinet ministers are already jockeying to succeed him.
They provide more evidence that his "bounce" from the global financial crisis is well and truly over.
Some 63% told the researchers that Mr Brown was acting as a drag on Labour's fortunes, with just 28% saying he was the leader most likely to attract votes.
Even among those who backed the party at the last general election, just 45% picked Mr Brown, while 49% insisted someone else would fare better.
However, there was a glimmer of hope for party strategists, with an indication that public alarm over the economic situation may be easing.
Asked about their personal financial circumstances, 51% said they were fairly or very confident - up from 43% in December. Some 48% said they were not confident.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,004 adults by telephone between February 20 and 22. The results were weighted to represent the profile of all adults.
