Lib Dems call for snap election

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Labour should call a general election immediately to let the British people choose the new PM, say the Lib Dems.

As Tony Blair told the Cabinet he would be resigning as Labour leader, the Lib Dems submitted a Parliamentary motion with the aim of triggering an election.

The Labour Party will vote for its next leader after a seven-week contest, but Gordon Brown is the clear favourite.

But the Lib Dems say Tony Blair said he would serve a full third term and Labour was voted in on that basis.

Mr Blair told his Cabinet colleagues earlier that he plans to resign, and has arrived in his Sedgefield constituency where he is expected to make a public announcement at 1200 BST.

Today my colleagues and I have submitted a motion to trigger a general election Sir Menzies Campbell

The chancellor is the clear favourite to succeed him - only two other challengers from the left of the party, Michael Meacher and John McDonnell have said they want to run against him.

Both will meet later to see if one can get enough support to get onto the ballot paper.

But Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Before the last general election Tony Blair pledged to serve a full third term and the British electorate voted for him on this basis."

Tory calls

He added: "Now the prime minister is leaving it is only right that the British public have their say on who will be their next prime minister.

"Today my colleagues and I have submitted a motion to trigger a general election."

A poll for BBC Newsnight last week suggested that most voters backed a quick general election after Mr Blair steps down - including more than half of those who said they voted for Labour.

The Conservatives have also called for a general election once Mr Blair goes. Party leader David Cameron has said the prime minister's successor would have no mandate to lead the country.

But last week Mr Brown told GMTV: "I didn't hear Mr Cameron or the Conservatives calling for a general election the minute that John Major took over in 1990."

And he said David Lloyd George, HH Asquith and Winston Churchill had not faced such calls either.

"I think you've got to put this in its proper historical perspective, that the British people elect a House of Commons, and out of the House of Commons the leadership is chosen."