LABOUR'S woes have intensified after a new poll suggested the party's lead over the Conservatives has evaporated.
The ICM survey of just over 1000 adults taken over the past weekend put the two neck and neck for the first time in almost 18 months.
Despite the troubles that have dogged Labour in recent weeks, including allegations of attempted union manipulation in the Falkirk selection process, it showed no change in the party's vote.
Instead, support for the Conservatives has risen, amid a collapse in the UKIP vote.
The Tories have long been convinced signs the economy is picking up will cause their poll ratings to jump.
However, Labour will be distraught at losing its lead, put at seven points in the same poll only last month.
Labour MPs expressed concerns to party leader Ed Miliband two weeks ago after other polls suggested the party's lead over the Conservatives was narrowing.
They will also have been keenly aware that the party is not out of the woods yet with the trade unions.
Although Mr Miliband appeared to deal with the issue last week the remedy he outlined could lead to a massive drop in funding for the party just as Labour attempts to fight the next general election.
The poll puts the Conservatives on 36 (up seven), Labour on 36 (no change), the Liberal Democrats on 13 (up one), and Ukip on seven (down five).
The survey is the best result for the Conservatives in an ICM poll since March 2012, when they had a three point lead.
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