THE UK:Tory leader David Cameron has been told he needs to use next week's party conference in Blackpool to "scare Brown off an election" and so win time "to recreate the Conservative brand".
The unwanted advice from former Tory party chairman Lord Tebbit - who had earlier praised Gordon Brown and favourably compared his leadership style to that of Margaret Thatcher - came as the prime minister again declined to kill off speculation about an October or November poll.
During a question-and-answer session at the Labour conference in Bournemouth, journalist Mariella Frostrup invited Mr Brown to confide his plans. But Mr Brown laughingly replied: "Charming as you are, I think the first person I'd have to talk to would be the queen."
Some Labour MPs have speculated that Mr Brown might make the journey to Buckingham Palace and seek the dissolution of parliament even as Mr Cameron prepares to address the Tory gathering in Blackpool.
However, a senior cabinet source told The Irish Times he would advise Mr Brown to review the polling evidence and make his decision this weekend, "then have a look at what happens at the Conservative conference". The minister said he believed if Mr Brown decided to call an election, it would be in November because the prime minister would want to announce his decision to parliament.
A number of senior figures associated with the Blairite era have pointedly urged Mr Brown to resist the growing pressure for a snap election. However, key cabinet ally Ed Balls fuelled speculation again yesterday, suggesting a decision to delay might now represent the greater gamble.
"It's a very interesting question as to where the gamble really lies," the schools and families secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, when asked whether the premier was likely to risk an election in the coming weeks.
Pressed on where the gamble lay, he said: "Clearly, over the last few months, as Gordon Brown has established his leadership, as he's dealt with some of the difficult crises which have been thrown at him and our country . . . Not only did public opinion polls strengthen but underlying support for his leadership has strengthened as well."
Labour treasurer Jack Dromey kept the election fever burning, telling the conference: "I'm confident of our capacity to be ready."