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Election pressure mounts for PM Election pressure mounts for PM
(10 minutes later)
Speculation is continuing to mount over whether Gordon Brown will call a November general election next week.Speculation is continuing to mount over whether Gordon Brown will call a November general election next week.
The government says its Comprehensive Spending Review, which sets spending for three years, and pre-Budget report will be brought forward to Tuesday.The government says its Comprehensive Spending Review, which sets spending for three years, and pre-Budget report will be brought forward to Tuesday.
This is the last day on which Mr Brown can call an election for 1 November.This is the last day on which Mr Brown can call an election for 1 November.
The CSR and PBR had been expected later in the month. Meanwhile, opinion polls suggest that Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen.The CSR and PBR had been expected later in the month. Meanwhile, opinion polls suggest that Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen.
'Bottle' The two dates most widely touted for an election are 1 and 8 November.
The Tories and Liberal Democrats both say they are ready to fight an election campaign. 'Bring it on'
The prime minister, who took office in June, is expected to study the opinion polls over the weekend before announcing his decision next week.
The Tories and Liberal Democrats both say they are ready to fight an immediate campaign.
Mr Brown has not ruled out holding an autumn poll, with Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell urging him to "bring it on".Mr Brown has not ruled out holding an autumn poll, with Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell urging him to "bring it on".
Brown would be mad - and he isn't - to let his fate rest on one set of polls BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full Brown would be mad - and he isn't - to let his fate rest on one set of polls BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
On Thursday, shadow chancellor George Osborne challenged the prime minister not to "bottle" calling an election. Shadow chancellor George Osborne challenged Mr Brown not to "bottle" calling an election, saying he had "let his aides stoke up that speculation".
Mr Brown had "let his aides stoke up that speculation", he added. But Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "When I heard David Cameron say, 'bring it on', I just had one thought - be careful what you wish for."
Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "When I heard David Cameron say, 'bring it on', I just had one thought - be careful what you wish for."
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "What began as a tease has become something rather more serious, really an abuse of the political process."Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "What began as a tease has become something rather more serious, really an abuse of the political process."
PollsPolls
An ICM poll for the Guardian newspaper indicates that Conservative and Labour are level - on 38% - compared with a 7% lead for Labour one month ago.An ICM poll for the Guardian newspaper indicates that Conservative and Labour are level - on 38% - compared with a 7% lead for Labour one month ago.
The poll surveyed 1,008 adults on Wednesday and Thursday, after David Cameron's address, delivered without notes or autocue, to the Conservative conference in Blackpool.The poll surveyed 1,008 adults on Wednesday and Thursday, after David Cameron's address, delivered without notes or autocue, to the Conservative conference in Blackpool.
HAVE YOUR SAY Politicians invariably call snap general elections when it suits their own political ambitions Brian Agnew, Preston Send us your comments
Meanwhile, the results of an earlier YouGov survey for Channel 4 News - which interviewed 1,741 people, also on Wednesday and Thursday - suggested the government, on 40%, was four points ahead of the Tories compared with a lead of 11 points last week.Meanwhile, the results of an earlier YouGov survey for Channel 4 News - which interviewed 1,741 people, also on Wednesday and Thursday - suggested the government, on 40%, was four points ahead of the Tories compared with a lead of 11 points last week.
And a Populus poll for the Times, for which 803 adults were interviewed by telephone on Tuesday and Wednesday, indicated a three-point lead for Labour, on 39%, down from 10 points a week ago.And a Populus poll for the Times, for which 803 adults were interviewed by telephone on Tuesday and Wednesday, indicated a three-point lead for Labour, on 39%, down from 10 points a week ago.
HAVE YOUR SAY Politicians invariably call snap general elections when it suits their own political ambitions Brian Agnew, Preston Send us your comments
BBC political correspondent James Hardy said Mr Brown had been tested by floods, foot-and-mouth and terror threats but that his biggest test - whether or not to call a general election - was still ahead of him.BBC political correspondent James Hardy said Mr Brown had been tested by floods, foot-and-mouth and terror threats but that his biggest test - whether or not to call a general election - was still ahead of him.
While Mr Brown had dominated the polls in his 100 days as prime minister, the Tories appeared to have bounced back, he added.While Mr Brown had dominated the polls in his 100 days as prime minister, the Tories appeared to have bounced back, he added.
But a further 32% of those questioned called for Mr Brown to wait until 2008 before calling an election.But a further 32% of those questioned called for Mr Brown to wait until 2008 before calling an election.
In its poll for Channel 4 News, YouGov also asked whether an autumn election was in Britain's best interests.In its poll for Channel 4 News, YouGov also asked whether an autumn election was in Britain's best interests.
It found 36% thought it was, compared with 29% last week.It found 36% thought it was, compared with 29% last week.
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.