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Brown refuses to rule out early poll

Updated: 2007-09-24 07:05

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown refused yesterday to rule out an
early general election after a new opinion poll showed Britain's first
bank run in a century had failed to dent his government's popularity.

"I'm not going to give a running commentary," Brown said to repeated
questioning on whether he would call an election as early as next month
when he addresses the annual Labour party conference for the first time
as leader today.

"Whenever the time comes for a decision, I think the issues of course are
clear about how we build a stronger economy, how we build for the future
a new era for our public services," Brown told the BBC as the conference
kicked off in the seaside town of Bournemouth.

Sources close to Brown said the new prime minister would only take a
decision on an election after the five-day conference. That could still
enable him to hold an election as early as October 25.

The 56-year-old Scot, who has revived the party's fortunes since taking
over from Tony Blair as prime minister in June, does not have to call a
general election until 2010.

But a succession of opinion polls showing the ruling Labour Party with a
six- to eight-point lead over the opposition Conservatives has raised
speculation he will plumb for an early date.

Party officials have also been cheered that Brown's lead has not been
damaged by the Northern Rock crisis.

An ICM poll in the Sunday Mirror showed Labour with a six-point lead and
found two thirds of those polled thought Brown was doing a good job as
prime minister.

Since taking the top job three months ago, Brown has had to deal with a
series of crises from attempted bombings to floods to foot-and-mouth
disease.

Arguing against holding an early poll is the fear that if Brown were to
lose, he would be one of the shortest serving prime ministers in British
history.

Agencies

(China Daily 09/24/2007 page7)

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