DAVID CAMERON has soared to near record levels of public support, according to the first opinion poll conducted since his return to work after the death of his son, Ivan.

A YouGov survey for The Sunday Times reveals his personal approval rating has risen by 17 points over the past month, with 59% of voters saying he is doing a good job as Tory leader and 30% criticising him.

The plus-29 rating is Cameron’s highest level of personal approval since August, when Labour were beset by leadership plotting and the Tories were at the peak of their popularity.

Cameron’s standing in the polls is likely to have benefited from the enormous public sympathy displayed after the death last month of six-year-old Ivan.

Gordon Brown’s own position has gone up by nine points over the past month. The prime minister won plaudits for his highly personal Commons statement on Ivan’s death.

Brown’s daughter, Jennifer, died 10 days after her birth and his younger son, Fraser, has cystic fibrosis.

However, 60% still believe Brown is doing a poor job as prime minister, with only 35% backing him.

Cameron’s personal popularity is not reflected in support for his party, with the Conservatives’ lead over Labour shrinking slightly over the past month from 12 points to 10. If a general election were called tomorrow, the Tories would receive 41% of the vote, Labour 31% and the Lib Dems 17%, up three points on last month. This would put Cameron into Downing Street with a small majority in the Commons.

The Tories’ lead has been stuck in the low double digits since the start of the year. To be assured of victory in a likely election next summer, they need a poll lead closer to 20 points at this stage in the cycle.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Margot Fonteyn: In her footsteps
• Forget beautiful people, let's have wonky Brits
• Fundamentalist brew: faith and power