08/10/2007

Brown Faces Down Poll Criticism

Gordon Brown has denied that decision not to hold a snap autumn election is due to poor performance in opinion polls.

The Prime Minister held a press conference at noon today in which he said he needed more time to set out his vision to the electorate.

Mr Brown's defenders have claimed that the Prime Minister has not been damaged by the decision against going to the polls.

However, Conservative leader David Cameron said Mr Brown was not being "straight" with the public and yesterday accused the Prime Minister of treating the electorate as "fools".

The meeting with Labour MPs today is the usual party leader's address after the summer recess.

Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said Mr Brown had reverted to the "worst of Blairism" in what he described as a charade. The Lib Dems are to table a motion today to remove the power to call elections from the hands of the Prime Minister.

Polls have put Conservatives ahead in many marginal seats, that if translated into election results would give a hung parliament.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Brown said it was "very unlikely" that there would be an election in 2008.

(SP)

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