Labour Party activists in Oxfordshire are united behind Gordon Brown who is tomorrow due to deliver a career-defining speech at his party's annual conference in Manchester.

Today, the Oxford Mail asked the county's 34 Labour councillors whether they thought the under-fire Prime Minister should stay in the job.

Not one spoke out against Mr Brown. Twenty backed him to continue to lead the country and his party into the next General Election. The remaining 14 could not be contacted.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: "I'm backing Gordon Brown — he's far and away the best person for the job.

"He's a serious and dedicated man with a great record with the economy and I'm finding a lot of support for him on the doorsteps in Oxford East."

The city, county and district councillors who backed Mr Brown all said he was the right man to lead the country.

Oxford city councillor Bryan Keen said: "He's the best man to lead us through the economic crisis."

Cowley & Littlemore county councillor John Sanders added: "His expertise is exactly what the country needs right now."

Speaking about Mr Brown at the party conference, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke said: "I'm very sceptical personally about his ability to pull it around and I think he probably should stand down."

But Mr Smith said: "Some MPs are calling for a leadership contest, but when asked who could do better, they don't have an answer. It's bizarre."

Cherwell district councillor George Parish said: "You can't change leader right in the middle of what's happening in the world economy."

Ed Turner, the deputy leader of Oxford City Council, added: "The back-stabbers should be ashamed of themselves."

However, among shoppers in Oxford city centre, the picture was more mixed.

Adrian Jefferies, of Littlemore, said: "I don't think it would make a huge difference whoever is in charge."

Ann Wyatt, of Blackbird Leys, said: "I don't support Labour, but personally I think he should be left alone to do his job"

Phil Smith, of Oxford , was not impressed. He said: "I think he is a load of rubbish.

'I think David Cameron seems much more straightforward."

Bilac Musleh, of Sandhills, said: "He is not as good as Tony Blair was, especially considering the economic situation. David Cameron should be given a chance now."

Those backing Mr Brown were: Oxford city councillors Mohammed Abbasi, Laurence Baxter, Maureen Christian, Mary Clarkson, Bryan Keen, Shah Khan, Sajjad-Hussain Malik, Joe McManners, Susanna Pressel, Gillian Sanders, Dee Sinclair, Bob Timbs and Ed Turner; South Oxfordshire district councillor Margaret Davies; Cherwell district councillor George Parish; county councillors Liz Brighouse, Barbara Gatehouse, Terry Joslin and John Sanders; and city and county councillor Val Smith.