Attempts by Britain's party political leaders to pronounce a clean bill of health on the new Parliament seem to have failed dismally.

A new poll showed that despite weeks of campaigning to demonstrate that politics has now been disinfected and sanitised, 51 per cent of British voters still believe the political parties are corrupt. So the claims that from now on the Westminster village will be as pure as the driven snow seem to have received a cynical response so far.

The situation has not been helped by the tough-guy actor Ray Winstone who will not vote this time, having told the world: "They are all liars."

Is this yet another stunning blow in the solar plexus for the Prime Minister in his painful weeks of campaigning? Voters (mainly women) apparently have more faith in Joanna Lumley's ability to run the country than in Gordon Brown's.

This unwelcome news for Mr Brown comes courtesy of a body called the Debenham's Democracy. A total of 2,800 customers filled out a survey demonstrating they would, in general, be happier with the feisty actress at the helm than the present Prime Minister.

Nor was it exactly a photo-finish: a total of 21 per cent more people voted for Lumley than for Brown.

"We think that the survey taps into the pulse of the nation and specifically one group - the working mum. Our poll gives a valuable insight into what she is thinking," said Debenhams spokesman Ed Watson. He added: "It's very clear that if someone stands up strongly for their beliefs, as is the case with Joanna Lumley, it has a great deal of resonance with the electorate."

Up and away! The United Kingdom Independence Party's candidate, Nigel Farage - who is challenging the Speaker, John Bercow in Buckingham - is taking to the skies today. His plane will be flying for two hours over Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, proclaiming in a banner: "Vote for your country - Vote UKIP."

Mr Farage has never been one to do things by halves...

William Hill, the bookmakers, have opened a book, which some might describe as frivolous, not to say fanciful, on what Gordon Brown will do next - that is, of course, if he is removed from Downing Street. The options offered are that he will become a banker (5/1), that he will become Tony Blair's PA (14/1) and that he will become presenter of The One Show (500/1).

But Mr Brown has already, in general terms, eschewed all such propositions. He has said that if he can't make a difference, then he has no interest in going into business. He would probably settle for charity work.