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Brown 'rules out' autumn election Brown 'rules out' autumn election
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is expected to say he will not call a general election this autumn, the BBC has learned.Gordon Brown is expected to say he will not call a general election this autumn, the BBC has learned.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson understands that a statement from the prime minister is due to be made soon. BBC political editor Nick Robinson understands a statement from the prime minister is due to be made soon.
Opposition leaders had challenged Mr Brown to end uncertainty over whether he would call an election after mounting speculation in recent weeks.Opposition leaders had challenged Mr Brown to end uncertainty over whether he would call an election after mounting speculation in recent weeks.
Recent opinion polls have suggested that Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen. Recent opinion polls have suggested that Labour's lead over the Tories has fallen. Downing St has yet to comment.
Speculation had been mounting that the prime minister would call a November election after he announced plans to make a statement to MPs on Iraq on Monday.Speculation had been mounting that the prime minister would call a November election after he announced plans to make a statement to MPs on Iraq on Monday.
Conservative leader David Cameron had called upon Mr Brown to end what he described as "endless dithering".Conservative leader David Cameron had called upon Mr Brown to end what he described as "endless dithering".
Marginal seatsMarginal seats
And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the decision showed "a loss of nerve" by Mr Brown. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the prime minister's decision showed "a loss of nerve".
This will be a day, a weekend and probably a week of red faces, of awkward headlines and embarrassment for those around Gordon Brown Nick RobinsonBBC News political editor "He should have stated his intentions, clearly and unequivocally. The inevitable conclusion is that he's been acting in the interests of the Labour Party and not in the interests of the country."
This will be a day, a weekend and probably a week of red faces, of awkward headlines and embarrassment for those around Gordon Brown Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Reaction to decision in quotes
The two dates that were most widely touted for an election had been 1 and 8 November.The two dates that were most widely touted for an election had been 1 and 8 November.
Speculation had grown when the government also moved forward plans to outline its Comprehensive Spending Review - which sets long-term spending plans - and pre-Budget report to Tuesday, rather than late October.Speculation had grown when the government also moved forward plans to outline its Comprehensive Spending Review - which sets long-term spending plans - and pre-Budget report to Tuesday, rather than late October.
Nick Robinson suggested that the main reason for not calling a snap election would be an unfavourable poll of marginal seats showing a swing to Tories. Nick Robinson suggested the main reason for not calling a snap election would be an unfavourable poll of marginal seats showing a swing to Tories.
A poll to be published by Sunday's News of the World puts the Tories ahead by 6% in marginal seats, with the party overall at 44% against Labour's 38%.
Translated into a general election, it would mean a hung Parliament with Labour holding 306 seats and the Tories 246.
'Verdict' election'Verdict' election
Our correspondent said the PM wants to win with a mandate for real change, but does not think he could do that with an early election, and consequently may not call an election until 2009. Our political editor says the prime minister wants to win with a mandate for real change, but does not think he could do that with an early election, and consequently may not call an election until 2009.
He said that Mr Brown will now plump for a "verdict election" - one based on his actual performance, not on how people think he may do in the future. He says Mr Brown will now plump for a "verdict election" - one based on his actual performance, not on how people think he may do in the future.
Nick Robinson added: "Mr Brown's opponents will make hay. They will say that he has bottled it.Nick Robinson added: "Mr Brown's opponents will make hay. They will say that he has bottled it.
"The only source of comfort for Labour politicians is that in the end this is about Westminster calculations and is not a decision that affects ordinary people's lives."The only source of comfort for Labour politicians is that in the end this is about Westminster calculations and is not a decision that affects ordinary people's lives.
"This will be a day, a weekend and probably a week of red faces, of awkward headlines and embarrassment for those around Gordon Brown," he added."This will be a day, a weekend and probably a week of red faces, of awkward headlines and embarrassment for those around Gordon Brown," he added.
Morale damaged
He said the decision would damage the morale of the Labour Party.He said the decision would damage the morale of the Labour Party.
'Not realistic'
The BBC's head of political research, David Cowling, said the speculation had to be stopped one way or another.The BBC's head of political research, David Cowling, said the speculation had to be stopped one way or another.
"I think he's had to put a stop on this... the thing was drifting away - it started off slow, it built up and the momentum was such that actually the aspiration, the anticipation was becoming part of the problem and he just had to stop it now." "The polls post the Conservative conference have been very good for the Conservatives, the poll that's coming out in marginal seats is very good for them, so it's all drifting in the wrong direction and it's not the sort of moment I think at which a prime minister could turn to his troops and say: 'Well the tides against us - forward to victory!'
Labour's lead "It wasn't a realistic scenario and he's now having to put a stop on it."
Recent opinion polls have suggested that Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen. Other recent opinion polls have suggested that Labour's lead over the Conservatives has fallen.
An ICM poll for the Guardian newspaper on Friday suggested the Conservatives and Labour were level - on 38% - compared with a 7% lead for Labour one month ago.An ICM poll for the Guardian newspaper on Friday suggested the Conservatives and Labour were level - on 38% - compared with a 7% lead for Labour one month ago.
The poll surveyed 1,008 adults on Wednesday and Thursday, after Mr Cameron's address to the Conservative conference in Blackpool.The poll surveyed 1,008 adults on Wednesday and Thursday, after Mr Cameron's 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.
Meanwhile, BBC journalist Andrew Marr was seen entering Downing St on Saturday afternoon, leading to speculation that Mr Brown will discuss his decision on Mr Marr's programme Sunday AM, broadcast at 0900GMT on Sunday. Meanwhile, BBC journalist Andrew Marr was seen entering Downing St on Saturday afternoon, leading to speculation that Mr Brown will discuss his decision on Mr Marr's programme The Andrew Marr Show, to be broadcast at 0900 BST on Sunday.