Brown mute on election date

Gordon Brown has not called a general election.

Despite mounting anticipation of an October poll, Gordon Brown did not use today's conference speech to declare a snap general election.

After fluctuating throughout the summer, election speculation had reached fever pitch by this morning, with expectation high Mr Brown would tell the Labour party to prepare for a poll on October 25.

Instead, the prime minister displayed his trademark prudent approach and declined to rush into a snap general election.

When asked if he would recommend the job of prime minister to anyone else, he said his answer was "not yet".

Arriving in Bournemouth, the prime minister said he wanted to use this year's Labour conference to concentrate on policy.

However, today's lack of announcement may not dampen election speculation.

In recent days senior Labour strategists said a poll in early November was as likely as a late October election, meaning speculation could still continue throughout conference season.