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Brown plays down early election Brown plays down early election
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has refused to rule out a general election, claiming only that "now" is not the time for a snap poll. Gordon Brown has refused to rule out an early general election amid continuing speculation about an October poll.
The prime minister was asked repeatedly on BBC Radio 4's Today if he could rule out an election this autumn. Pressed on the issue on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "There will be a time and a place for a general election, but it is not now."
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." Instead he announced plans to involve opposition MPs, citizens' juries and a citizens' summit in government.
The PM can call an election at any time up to May 2010. Opposition parties are on standby for a snap October election. "A new type of politics" is needed to tackle youth and children's issues, crime, land use and health, he said.
'Business as usual''Business as usual'
But Mr Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I have to say there will be no announcement today ... The speech has been seen in some quarters as raising the prospects of an October election - even though Mr Brown can call an election at any time up to May 2010.
"I am getting on with the business of government. Asked about election timing Mr Brown told Today: "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."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."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.""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 BrownWe 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 spoke out ahead of a speech to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, in which he outlined 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. He said he did "not agree with the old belief of half a century ago that we can issue commands from Whitehall and expect the world to change".
"But we want to draw on people from other parties who have particular expertise to offer." "Only a new kind of politics can help us meet these challenges - whether it is crime and gang violence, the future health of the nation or climate change.
Mr Brown said these would include "serving politicians" from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties. "The solutions will not come simply from narrow debate between states and markets ... We must engage and involve with people on the issues they face in their everyday lives."
'National interest' With the new political season beginning in September, Mr Brown said there was no place for "business as usual".
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. Tory recruits
He is not expected to join Labour or the government, but has a long interest in the subject. "I believe that Britain needs a new type of politics which embraces everyone in this nation, not just a few," he said.
"I want to find new methods of engagement to draw on the ideas outside normal political parties," Mr Brown said. "A politics built on consensus, not division. A politics that draws on the widest range of talents and expertise, not the narrow circles of power."
"I want a government that reflects the whole of the national interest, that is not partisan or sectional." Mr Brown said from this week citizens' juries would meet around the country to deal with issues relating to children, the threat of violence and pornography on the internet.
Citizens' juries would discuss crime and communities next week, and at a later date, the future of the NHS.
He announced plans for standing commissions to tackle long-term issues, starting with the role of carers.
He said Tory MP Patrick Mercer, forced to quit as the Conservatives' homeland security spokesman after a row over alleged racist comments, is to advise Lord West on security matters.
Fellow Conservative MP John Bercow is to head a review into support to children with learning difficulties.
Mr Brown also said that the Lib Dem MP Matthew Taylor would be advising the government on future land-use policy.
There would also be a Speakers' conference bringing together all parties to discuss the decline in voter turn out, weekend voting and the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in the House of Commons, he added.