One in three Tories abandons Cameron since he became leader

UK: Almost a third of party members have quit the Tories since David Cameron became leader.

For only the second time in history, the Conservatives have fewer signed-up supporters than Labour.

The membership roster stands at 177,000 - down 81,000 from the 258,000 Cameron inherited in 2005.

Over the same period, Labour's membership has fallen by only 4,000 to 194,000, according to a report from the House of Commons library.

The study is ammunition for those on the Tory right who believe traditional supporters are being turned off by the Prime Minister's policies.

It is the first time official figures from each party have shown Labour in front. Labour led briefly in 1997, based on estimates only.

The Lib Dems are trailing on 65,000, which is 8,000 down on 2005.

Membership of the three main parties - at 1.1 per cent of the electorate - is at its lowest level ever.

In 1983 - the era of Margaret Thatcher and Michael Foot - the figure was 3.8 per cent. BBC