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Think long term, PM urges public Think long term, PM urges public
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has urged voters to take a long-term view, as polls suggest the government has been hurt by rows over Northern Rock and missing benefit data.Gordon Brown has urged voters to take a long-term view, as polls suggest the government has been hurt by rows over Northern Rock and missing benefit data.
A News of the World survey of 547 people suggests 46% think the prime minister is bad in a crisis.A News of the World survey of 547 people suggests 46% think the prime minister is bad in a crisis.
And a Sunday Telegraph poll of 1,005 people suggests 50% are dissatisfied with Chancellor Alastair Darling.And a Sunday Telegraph poll of 1,005 people suggests 50% are dissatisfied with Chancellor Alastair Darling.
Mr Brown said there were events over which he had no control, but that Labour had brought economic stability.Mr Brown said there were events over which he had no control, but that Labour had brought economic stability.
'Growth and stability''Growth and stability'
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said: "Opinion polls have been very volatile recently but the government's ratings have been languishing for some weeks now."BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said: "Opinion polls have been very volatile recently but the government's ratings have been languishing for some weeks now."
According to the News of the World, Labour's 12-point poll lead over the Tories on managing the economy two months ago has been eroded, with the parties now level on 38% each.According to the News of the World, Labour's 12-point poll lead over the Tories on managing the economy two months ago has been eroded, with the parties now level on 38% each.
The poll gives Conservative leader David Cameron an eight-point lead over Mr Brown as the best leader, on 46% to 38%.The poll gives Conservative leader David Cameron an eight-point lead over Mr Brown as the best leader, on 46% to 38%.
Mr Cameron is 17 points ahead among 25-34 year-olds, the poll suggests.Mr Cameron is 17 points ahead among 25-34 year-olds, the poll suggests.
Northern Rock was hit by the worldwide credit freeze which left it unable to borrow money from other banks to fund its business model.Northern Rock was hit by the worldwide credit freeze which left it unable to borrow money from other banks to fund its business model.
Meanwhile, police are searching for missing computer discs containing the details of 25m Child Benefit claimants.Meanwhile, police are searching for missing computer discs containing the details of 25m Child Benefit claimants.
Mr Brown told an audience in Uganda that there were events over which he had no control and that people should take a long-term view. Mr Brown said: " Sometimes... you have to react to events in other parts of the world or events over which you have no control yourself, and the question at the end of the day is that people should take a long term view of what we are trying to achieve."
"I believe that because of the way we have shown we can run macroeconomic policy with stability that we are able to steer a course of growth and stability over the next period of time," he added. Earlier, Mr Brown had told an audience in Uganda "I believe that because of the way we have shown we can run macroeconomic policy with stability that we are able to steer a course of growth and stability over the next period of time."
"It is us attempting to deal with the fallout from Northern Rock that has led us to take the action that we did in the interests of the stability of the economy.""It is us attempting to deal with the fallout from Northern Rock that has led us to take the action that we did in the interests of the stability of the economy."
MSL interviewed 547 adults by telephone between 22 and 24 November for the News of the World, while ICM spoke to 1,005 voters by phone between 21 and 22 November for the Sunday Telegraph.MSL interviewed 547 adults by telephone between 22 and 24 November for the News of the World, while ICM spoke to 1,005 voters by phone between 21 and 22 November for the Sunday Telegraph.