Like Callaghan, Brown served for only three years, also during an economic crisis. And despite being credited for his action to prop up the banks, the record government debt he created is seen as his biggest failure.  Brown was scored negative ratings for the economy, society, democracy and foreign policy.

However the two lowest achieving PMs, according to the study, were Alec Douglas-Home (1963-164) and Anthony Eden (1955-1957).

Theakston said of the results: "Each of the top five PMs served at least six years in Downing Street.

"In the bottom half of the table, only Major had two terms in office, serving for seven years."