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Election pressure mounts for PM Election pressure mounts for PM
(9 minutes later)
David Cameron has once again called on the prime minister to go to the polls as pressure continues to mount on him to decide on a general election.David Cameron has once again called on the prime minister to go to the polls as pressure continues to mount on him to decide on a general election.
The Tory leader said it was in the country's interest for Gordon Brown to call an election "right now".The Tory leader said it was in the country's interest for Gordon Brown to call an election "right now".
There has been increasing speculation that the PM, in power for 100 days, will do so as soon as next week. There has been increasing speculation the PM will do so as soon as next week.
But three opinions polls suggest Labour's lead over the Tories has fallen sharply in the past week. Three opinions polls suggest Labour's lead over the Tories has fallen sharply in the past week - two put Labour ahead but one has them level with the Tories.
I relish the opportunity of getting out and taking the message to the country David CameronI relish the opportunity of getting out and taking the message to the country David Cameron
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Cameron told BBC News: "I'm passionate about getting out there and explaining to people we don't have to put up with another years of Labour failure, that we can really give people a choice about making the changes we need in our country.Speaking on Thursday, Mr Cameron told BBC News: "I'm passionate about getting out there and explaining to people we don't have to put up with another years of Labour failure, that we can really give people a choice about making the changes we need in our country.
"I relish the opportunity of getting out and taking the message to the country.""I relish the opportunity of getting out and taking the message to the country."
He was speaking as it emerged that an ICM poll for the Guardian newspaper indicates that Conservative and Labour are level - on 38% - compared to a 7% lead for Labour one month ago. He was speaking as it emerged that 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.
STATE OF THE PARTIES 38% - Labour38% - Conservatives16% - Liberal Democrats Source: ICM/The GuardianSTATE OF THE PARTIES 38% - Labour38% - Conservatives16% - Liberal Democrats Source: ICM/The Guardian
The poll surveyed 1,008 adults on Wednesday and Thursday, after David Cameron's unscripted address to the Conservative conference in Blackpool.The poll surveyed 1,008 adults on 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 - 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.
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
Speaking on BBC's Newsnight programme on Thursday night, 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." Speaking on BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday night, 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."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, meanwhile, also said Mr Brown must now make his decision.Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, meanwhile, also said Mr Brown must now make his decision.
"What began as a tease has become something rather more serious, really an abuse of the political process," he said."What began as a tease has become something rather more serious, really an abuse of the political process," he said.
Mr Brown marked his 100 days in office by visiting a brand new NHS centre in Basildon, Essex.Mr Brown marked his 100 days in office by visiting a brand new NHS centre in Basildon, Essex.
Key indicatorKey indicator
BBC political correspondent James Hardy said that 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 that 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.
Our correspondent said the three polls were a key indicator of where public opinion was after the party conference season.Our correspondent said the three polls were a key indicator of where public opinion was after the party conference season.
And while Mr Brown had dominated the polls in his 100 days as prime minister, the Tories appeared to have dramatically bounced back.And while Mr Brown had dominated the polls in his 100 days as prime minister, the Tories appeared to have dramatically bounced back.
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.
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
It found 36% thought it was, compared with 29% last week.It found 36% thought it was, compared with 29% last week.
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.
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.