The abolition of the 10p tax rate, the handling of the Northern Rock crisis and question marks over Gordon Brown's leadership have seen the party's popularity take a tumble.

Can things get much worse for our Labour government?

Quite possibly, if the views of shoppers in King Street, South Shields, are anything to go by.

Unemployed Hassan Ullah, 45, of East Street, South Shields, feels let down by New Labour.

When it stormed into power under Tony Blair in 1997, Mr Ullah, a rigger by trade, was hopeful that traditional industries would enjoy a rebirth.

He said: "I hoped Labour would help me find a job, but it hasn't happened.

"Nothing has really changed, and the Government doesn't seem interested in helping ordinary people.

"I won't be voting Labour again, and I fully expect the Conservatives to get in next time around."

Brian Robinson, 65, believes Labour has let down low-paid workers over the abolition of the 10p tax rate, and he thinks all the main political parties are too media-obsessed.

He said: "It's all image over political substance now. Politics in general, I think, has lost its way."

Dorothy Sanck, 66, of Brockley Avenue, South Shields, has also lost faith with Labour, despite voting for the party in the past.

She said: "The 10p tax decision was deplorable.

"I voted for the British National Party at the local elections. I knew it wouldn't get in, but I wanted to vote for anyone but Labour."

Lynne Barber, 39, of Mowbray Road, South Shields, believes Gordon Brown was a better chancellor of the exchequer than he is a Prime Minister.

"He doesn't seem to have leadership qualities for the top job," she said.

Merchant Navy deck officer James Musgrave, 19, of Tyne Dock, South Shields, is confident Labour can turns things round before the next election, though.

He said: "Labour has done a lot for equal rights in the Merchant Navy. I voted Labour, and I still have faith in the party."

But Laura Burns, 18, from Harton Village, did not share his confidence in Mr Brown.

"He comes across as bland. He doesn't seem to have any personality," she said.