Poll shows Labour lags far behind

       Britain's opposition Conservatives remain on course for a return to power following the annual party conference season, an ICM Poll for the News of the World Sunday newspaper said.Support for the centre-right Conservatives stands at 45%,19 points ahead of Labour, and enough to give them a strong majority in parliament in an election due by next June. The Liberal Democrats are in third place with 18%.
       The Conservatives have extended their lead by five points since the previous ICM poll, taken two weeks ago before Labour held its annual conference.
       The conferences give the main parties huge media exposure and were seen as the starting point for election campaigns.
       The Conservatives warned at their conference that they would cut spending in order to reduce a huge budget deficit,outlining plans for a freeze on public sector pay beginning in 2011 and to raise the age at which people can get their state pension.
       A rapid recovery from deep recession is seen as the only chance of salvation for Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Labour party, in power since 1997.
       Mr Brown said in a podcast on Saturday that action taken by the government,including spending billions of pounds on bailing out banks, had prevented the recession from tipping into a depression.
       "I believe that we have reached only the half way point on the road to rebuilding the global economy," he said.
       Mr Brown said he would give more details about how he plans to ensure the economy will grow in an enduring and sustainable way.
       The Labour PM, who has faced media questions in recent weeks over his health and eyesight, has two minor tears in his retina but will not require surgery, his office said on Saturday.
       Mr Brown, who lost the sight in one eye following a rugby injury as a teenager,has repeatedly said he is fit enough to lead he country.
       The ICM Research poll interviewed 1,008 adults on Oct 7-8.