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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Brown refuses to end poll fever | Brown refuses to end poll fever |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Gordon Brown has again refused to rule out calling an early general election. | Gordon Brown has again refused to rule out calling an early general election. |
| In a series of media interviews at the start of his first Labour conference as leader Mr Brown declined the chance to end the speculation over a snap poll. | In a series of media interviews at the start of his first Labour conference as leader Mr Brown declined the chance to end the speculation over a snap poll. |
| Instead he said he was "getting on with the job" of implementing Labour's manifesto from 2005, adding: "Do I need to call an election to do so? No." | Instead he said he was "getting on with the job" of implementing Labour's manifesto from 2005, adding: "Do I need to call an election to do so? No." |
| In his first leader's speech to the Labour conference he is expected to talk about crime, health and education. | In his first leader's speech to the Labour conference he is expected to talk about crime, health and education. |
| Licensing laws | Licensing laws |
| He said he would be concentrating on improving the National Health Service, "responding to the aspirations of the British people", developing world class schools and creating more jobs in the future. | |
| He also said public services had to be more personalised, saying people needed to be treated "not as a number, but with respect". | He also said public services had to be more personalised, saying people needed to be treated "not as a number, but with respect". |
| I think, over the summer, when we've been tested on terrorism, when we've been tested with floods...I've tried to show that we are equal to every challenge that arises Gordon Brown At-a-glance: Conference | I think, over the summer, when we've been tested on terrorism, when we've been tested with floods...I've tried to show that we are equal to every challenge that arises Gordon Brown At-a-glance: Conference |
| Mr Brown who became prime minister by succeeding Tony Blair as Labour leader, told the BBC he was focusing on policies and said snap election talk was just "inner speculation" by a small group of people "who are interested in politics". | Mr Brown who became prime minister by succeeding Tony Blair as Labour leader, told the BBC he was focusing on policies and said snap election talk was just "inner speculation" by a small group of people "who are interested in politics". |
| He said his policy plans included reviewing some past Labour ones - like those on cannabis and 24-hour licensing - if he felt they needed reform. | He said his policy plans included reviewing some past Labour ones - like those on cannabis and 24-hour licensing - if he felt they needed reform. |
| On binge drinking, particularly among teenagers, he said it was important not to send out the wrong message. | On binge drinking, particularly among teenagers, he said it was important not to send out the wrong message. |
| Stop and search | Stop and search |
| He will use his speech to back the use of stop and search powers in areas hit by gun crime. | He will use his speech to back the use of stop and search powers in areas hit by gun crime. |
| Senior officers in ten existing street crime hotspots will be able to sweep areas in a bid to crack down on violent crime. | Senior officers in ten existing street crime hotspots will be able to sweep areas in a bid to crack down on violent crime. |
| To set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead Gordon Brown | To set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead Gordon Brown |
| Mr Brown told the BBC: "I think anybody who knows that a few people with guns can disrupt a whole area will want the police to use these powers." | Mr Brown told the BBC: "I think anybody who knows that a few people with guns can disrupt a whole area will want the police to use these powers." |
| The move, which Mr Brown recognises may be controversial and revive memories of the old "sus" laws, will be part of a package of measures under the slogan "punish and prevent" which will also include plans to cut police paper work. | The move, which Mr Brown recognises may be controversial and revive memories of the old "sus" laws, will be part of a package of measures under the slogan "punish and prevent" which will also include plans to cut police paper work. |
| On health, the prime minister will unveil his plans to cut cancer waiting and screening times and to increase the numbers of matrons. | On health, the prime minister will unveil his plans to cut cancer waiting and screening times and to increase the numbers of matrons. |
| He will also confirm plans for a deep-clean of hospitals over Christmas and the New Year in the fight against the MRSA bug, increasing opportunity in education, and lifting families out of poverty. | He will also confirm plans for a deep-clean of hospitals over Christmas and the New Year in the fight against the MRSA bug, increasing opportunity in education, and lifting families out of poverty. |
| Opinion polls | Opinion polls |
| He will tell the Bournemouth conference that, while great advances were made under Tony Blair, change is required to meet new challenges. | He will tell the Bournemouth conference that, while great advances were made under Tony Blair, change is required to meet new challenges. |
| It's clear that many senior figures think that Gordon should go for it BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full | It's clear that many senior figures think that Gordon should go for it BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full |
| He is expected to echo the words he used in a letter to the party's ruling executive, that called on the conference "to set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead". | He is expected to echo the words he used in a letter to the party's ruling executive, that called on the conference "to set ambitious long-term goals and then stay the course to meet the challenges of the decade ahead". |
| Much of the speculation about an early poll - Mr Brown can wait until May 2010 if he wants before holding an election - has been prompted by recent opinion polls giving Labour a lead. | Much of the speculation about an early poll - Mr Brown can wait until May 2010 if he wants before holding an election - has been prompted by recent opinion polls giving Labour a lead. |
| And on the first day of the Bournemouth conference a poll in the Sun suggests the Tories are eight points behind Labour. | And on the first day of the Bournemouth conference a poll in the Sun suggests the Tories are eight points behind Labour. |
| The Ipsos-Mori poll of 1,009 adults put Labour on 42%; its lead increased from 5% in a similar poll a month ago. | The Ipsos-Mori poll of 1,009 adults put Labour on 42%; its lead increased from 5% in a similar poll a month ago. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The UK should adopt fixed terms for general elections Pete, Worthing Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY The UK should adopt fixed terms for general elections Pete, Worthing Send us your comments |
| The poll, carried out by Ipsos-Mori on September 20-22, suggested 34% of those questioned favoured the Conservatives, with 14% for the Lib Dems. | The poll, carried out by Ipsos-Mori on September 20-22, suggested 34% of those questioned favoured the Conservatives, with 14% for the Lib Dems. |
| The party is also advertising for 22 jobs - including graphic designers, policy and research officers, campaign assistants and press officers, suggesting it is gearing up for an election campaign. | The party is also advertising for 22 jobs - including graphic designers, policy and research officers, campaign assistants and press officers, suggesting it is gearing up for an election campaign. |
| Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell urged Mr Brown to "stop dithering" and call an election. |