'Man for a crisis' Brown urged to call snap election

Published on Saturday 18 October 2008 22:15

GORDON Brown is facing fresh pressure from his own party to hold a snap general election in order to capitalise on improved ratings following his role in the global economic crisis.

The Prime Minister must call the next general election by the summer of 2010, but Labour sources are privately suggesting he should go to the country next spring, billing himself as the "man for a crisis".

The rumours have led to instant denials from Downing Street, where the memories of last year's on-off general election fiasco are still strong.

Brown called off plans for a snap poll last year, but only after expectations were raised by his aides – a sequence of events that led to a catastrophic fall in the Prime Minister's poll ratings.

There was mixed poll news for Brown last night with an ICM survey finding that while most believe the Prime Minister has handled the economic crisis well, only 13% said they were more likely to vote Labour as a result. Another 22% said they were less likely to vote Labour, while 59% said it made no difference.

But a poll of voting intentions by ComRes found the Tories' lead over Labour cut from 13 points to nine, the smallest margin for seven months. It put the Conservatives on 40% (down one from last month), Labour on 31% (up two) and the Liberal Democrats on 16% (down two).

Some Labour strategists are now warning that by 2010, if the worst of the coming recession has played out, voters will be more predisposed to vote for change and the Conservatives.

Several Labour MPs contacted by Scotland on Sunday said they supported the early election bid. One said: "We'd be better going when the crisis was still ongoing because that's when Gordon is at his strongest. Once the conditions improve, people might be more attracted to the sunlit uplands of the future and go for Cameron."

However, Downing Street insiders are adamant that an early election is not on the Prime Minister's mind.

The party's election coordinator, Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, used an interview yesterday to flatly deny any plan for an early election. "There has been no discussion, for the reason that we are focused on getting the country out of an economic crisis," he said.

Asked whether he would rule out a snap election, Alexander said: "It's for the Prime Minister to decide, but there has been no discussion whatsoever. And, as election coordinator, I would know."

Asked about Labour's prospects, he said: "Can we win the election? Absolutely. But we have a lot of work to do."

Calls for an early election will only be increased if Labour can cling on to the Glenrothes seat at the by-election there on November 6. Party managers now say they have an "even-money chance" in the race, claiming that the economic crisis has hardened support.