Move over Darling.

So, "ALMOST half of voters think Alistair Darling should be replaced as Chancellor of the Exchequer following his difficulties over Northern Rock, Capital Gains Tax and the taxation of wealthy foreign 'non-doms', according to a poll released today. By a margin of 44% to 27%, people taking part in the YouGov survey said that Darling should be removed from the Treasury ..."

Mr Smith recognises that YouGov polls can be rather dubious, but given the decision yesterday of the Treasury to nationalise Northern Rock, a decision that came after the poll was produced, the pressure on the Chancellor has probably increased even further. But given his close connections to PM Gordon Brown it is very unlikely he will be made to walk the political plank.