Some 65% will vote Tory on 5 May and 21% Labour. Lib Dems can rely on 10% with the remaining 4% voting for other parties or undecided.

Print recruitment firm Harrison Scott Associates, which carried out the poll, said Tory support was stronger than at the time of the Labour landslide in 1997.

Joint managing director George Thompson said the bosses were as worried about social issues like crime and war in Iraq as economic and business affairs such as soaring tribunal payouts. "Many are concerned about yob culture and feel the Tories will be tougher on crime."