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Election decision 'this weekend' Election decision 'this weekend'
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown is likely to make a decision this weekend on whether to hold a snap general election, a polling expert has said.Gordon Brown is likely to make a decision this weekend on whether to hold a snap general election, a polling expert has said.
John Curtice of Strathclyde University told the BBC the prime minister would "finally have to make up his mind and tell the rest of us".John Curtice of Strathclyde University told the BBC the prime minister would "finally have to make up his mind and tell the rest of us".
Mr Brown has until next Tuesday to call an election for 1 November.Mr Brown has until next Tuesday to call an election for 1 November.
He has refused to rule out a snap poll, with the Lib Dems and Tories saying they are ready for a campaign.He has refused to rule out a snap poll, with the Lib Dems and Tories saying they are ready for a campaign.
The first results from opinion polls taken since David Cameron's speech to the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday are expected overnight.The first results from opinion polls taken since David Cameron's speech to the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday are expected overnight.
'Fight and win''Fight and win'
The party leader will be hoping to dent the so-called "Brown bounce" seen since Labour's conference last week.The party leader will be hoping to dent the so-called "Brown bounce" seen since Labour's conference last week.
In his speech, Mr Cameron said: "We will fight, and Britain will win."In his speech, Mr Cameron said: "We will fight, and Britain will win."
The second date widely suggested for a snap election is 8 November, which Mr Brown would have to call by 16 October.The second date widely suggested for a snap election is 8 November, which Mr Brown would have to call by 16 October.
Professor Curtice said: "I think we can look forward to a number of opinion polls, probably Friday, Saturday and Sunday, trying to get a measure of where the public now stands in the wake of David Cameron's speech.Professor Curtice said: "I think we can look forward to a number of opinion polls, probably Friday, Saturday and Sunday, trying to get a measure of where the public now stands in the wake of David Cameron's speech.
To try to persuade people to come out at half past nine on a wet and windy, dark November - I think it's dreadful Ken Livingstone, London mayor
"I guess it will be that evidence, together with whatever private polling Gordon Brown gets this weekend, that means the prime minister will finally have to make up his mind and tell the rest of us whether or not we are going to have a snap election at the beginning of November or whether he is going to call the dogs off.""I guess it will be that evidence, together with whatever private polling Gordon Brown gets this weekend, that means the prime minister will finally have to make up his mind and tell the rest of us whether or not we are going to have a snap election at the beginning of November or whether he is going to call the dogs off."
'Very bad idea' Amid all the election speculation Liberal Democrat party president Simon Hughes told BBC Radio Five Live that prime ministers should not be allowed to call a snap election at a time of their choosing.
Amid all the election speculation Liberal Democrat party president Simon Hughes told BBC Five Live that prime ministers should not be allowed to call a snap election at a time of their choosing.
He said: "If an election is called in the next week or so, we will have to cut short the end of this parliamentary year.He said: "If an election is called in the next week or so, we will have to cut short the end of this parliamentary year.
"We will rush through stuff - some laws will never happen that should have happened. "We will rush through stuff - some laws will never happen that should have happened."
"The public are inconvenienced - businesses, people who are affected by legislation, policy makers, and this autumn we're probably going to see loads and loads of people without any right to vote because it's been called at a time that the electoral cycle doesn't get people on the electoral register. So, no, it's a very bad idea." "The public are inconvenienced," he added, "so, no, it's a very bad idea."
'Bursting'
The mayor of London, Labour's Ken Livingstone, described a November poll as a "dreadful" idea.
"I think you need an election as the sun's bursting out at the beginning of summer," he told BBC London 94.9.
"To try to persuade people to come out at half past nine on a wet and windy, dark November - I think it's dreadful."
He went on: "I'd wait until next summer so people have seen the best part of a year of Gordon in action."
On Wednesday, former Tory leader William Hague said Mr Brown would be guilty of "cowardice" if he did not call a snap election soon, having refused to quell speculation.On Wednesday, former Tory leader William Hague said Mr Brown would be guilty of "cowardice" if he did not call a snap election soon, having refused to quell speculation.
The Association of Electoral Administrators has estimated that a November poll would bar at least a million voters because of changes since the electoral register was last updated in December 2006.The Association of Electoral Administrators has estimated that a November poll would bar at least a million voters because of changes since the electoral register was last updated in December 2006.