This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7028677.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tories 'narrowing Labour's lead' Tories 'narrowing Labour's lead'
(about 1 hour later)
Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen sharply compared to a week ago, two opinion polls have suggested. Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen sharply, three opinion polls have suggested.
The government was four points ahead of the Tories in a YouGov survey for Channel 4 News, whereas it was 11 points in front last week. An ICM poll for the Guardian newspaper indicates the gap has narrowed to just one per cent compared to seven per cent a month ago.
And a Populus poll for The Times showed a three-point gap, down from 10 points seven days ago. It follows two other surveys which suggest Labour's lead has dropped to four and three percentage points.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to decide this weekend whether to call a snap general election this autumn.Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to decide this weekend whether to call a snap general election this autumn.
The ICM poll for the Guardian indicates the two main parties are now almost level.
STATE OF THE PARTIES 39% - Labour38% - Conservatives16% - Liberal Democrats Source: ICM/The Guardian
It puts Labour on 39%, the Tories on 38% and the Liberal Democrats on 16%.
The poll surveyed 977 adults between Wednesday and Thursday, after David Cameron's unscripted address to the Conservative conference in Blackpool.
Meanwhile, the results of an earlier YouGov survey for Channel 4 News suggested the government was four points ahead of the Tories, whereas it was 11 points in front last week.
And a Populus poll for The Times indicated a three-point gap, down from 10 points seven days ago.
Some 40% of those questioned by YouGov would vote Labour in any general election, down from 44% in a similar survey last week.Some 40% of those questioned by YouGov would vote Labour in any general election, down from 44% in a similar survey last week.
STATE OF THE PARTIES 40% - Labour36% - Conservatives13% - Liberal Democrats11% - Other Source: YouGov/Channel 4 NewsSTATE OF THE PARTIES 40% - Labour36% - Conservatives13% - Liberal Democrats11% - Other Source: YouGov/Channel 4 News
The Tories were up three points at 36%, while the Lib Dems were static on 13%.The Tories were up three points at 36%, while the Lib Dems were static on 13%.
In the Populus survey, for which 803 adults were interviewed on Tuesday and Wednesday, Labour was on 39%, compared to 41% last week. In the Populus survey, for which 803 adults were interviewed by telephone on Tuesday and Wednesday, Labour was on 39%, compared to 41% last week.
The Tories stood at 36%, up five points, with the Liberal Democrats down two points at 15%.The Tories stood at 36%, up five points, with the Liberal Democrats down two points at 15%.
Meanwhile YouGov also asked its 1,741 participants whether an autumn election was in Britain's best interests. Meanwhile, YouGov also asked its 1,741 participants whether an autumn election was in Britain's best interests.
STATE OF THE PARTIES 39% - Labour36% - Conservatives15% - Liberal Democrats10% - Other Source: Populus/The TimesSTATE OF THE PARTIES 39% - Labour36% - Conservatives15% - Liberal Democrats10% - Other Source: Populus/The Times
It found 36% of them agreed with this statement, compared to 29% last week.It found 36% of them agreed with this statement, compared to 29% last week.
But a further 32% of those questioned on Wednesday and Thursday, after Mr Cameron's main conference speech, called for Mr Brown to wait until 2008 before calling an election.But a further 32% of those questioned on Wednesday and Thursday, after Mr Cameron's main conference speech, called for Mr Brown to wait until 2008 before calling an election.
Asked if the prime minister should delay a nationwide vote until 2009, 7% agreed.Asked if the prime minister should delay a nationwide vote until 2009, 7% agreed.
And another 7% said that waiting until 2010, at the end of the government's current five-year term, would be their preference.And another 7% said that waiting until 2010, at the end of the government's current five-year term, would be their preference.
Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have said they were ready for such a poll.Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have said they were ready for such a poll.
ELECTION TIMING 36% - Autumn 200732% - 20087% - 20097% - 201017% - Don't know Source: YouGov/Channel 4 NewsELECTION TIMING 36% - Autumn 200732% - 20087% - 20097% - 201017% - Don't know Source: YouGov/Channel 4 News
On Thursday, Tory leader David Cameron wrote to Mr Brown, asking for his shadow Cabinet to be given access to Whitehall officials, to smooth the way for any change of government following an autumn election.On Thursday, Tory leader David Cameron wrote to Mr Brown, asking for his shadow Cabinet to be given access to Whitehall officials, to smooth the way for any change of government following an autumn election.
Last week, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell called on Mr Brown to stop dithering, saying continuous speculation was "bad for the economy".Last week, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell called on Mr Brown to stop dithering, saying continuous speculation was "bad for the economy".
But Mr Brown has repeatedly said he was "getting on with the job" of governing when asked if a poll would be organised.But Mr Brown has repeatedly said he was "getting on with the job" of governing when asked if a poll would be organised.