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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Brown plays down early election | Brown plays down early election |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has refused to rule out a general election, claiming only that "now" is not the time for a snap poll. | |
| The prime minister was asked repeatedly on BBC Radio 4's Today if he could rule out an election this autumn. | |
| He did not go that far, but he said he would not be calling one "today". "There will be a time and a place for a general election, but it is not now." | |
| The PM can call an election at any time up to May 2010. Opposition parties are on standby for a snap October election. | The PM can call an election at any time up to May 2010. Opposition parties are on standby for a snap October election. |
| 'Business as usual' | |
| But Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I have to say there will be no announcement today ... | |
| "I am getting on with the business of government. | |
| "If there were to be an election, the first person I would tell is not you ... it would be HM the Queen and I have not done that. | |
| "There will be a time and a place for these things, but it is not now. | |
| "I am getting on with the business of government and I think people will see by what I say today and what I do in the future that what's on my mind is making this country successful in the future." | |
| We want to draw on people from other parties who have particular expertise to offer Gordon Brown | |
| Mr Brown was speaking ahead of a keynote speech in which he is outlining his ambition to lead a government that unifies the country. | |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I am now convinced that we have got to draw in the ideas and abilities and talents of people outside the political system - people who have never been involved in politics before. | |
| "But we want to draw on people from other parties who have particular expertise to offer." | |
| Mr Brown said these would include "serving politicians" from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. | |
| 'National interest' | |
| While he would not name names, the BBC understands Conservative MP John Bercow has been asked to head a review into support to children with learning difficulties. | |
| He is not expected to join Labour or the government, but has a long interest in the subject. | |
| "I want to find new methods of engagement to draw on the ideas outside normal political parties," Mr Brown said. | |
| "I want a government that reflects the whole of the national interest, that is not partisan or sectional." |