Labour Party on election footing

Britain's ruling Labour Party has moved to an election footing.

"We are making the necessary preparations for a general election so the party is ready to fight a winning campaign whenever the prime minister chooses to name the day," Martin Salter, a vice-chairman of the party, said.

The Times newspaper reported Brown had ordered the party to begin raising funds as part of preparations for a general election as early as October.

Mr Salter declined to speculate on timing, but said: "We are in a strong position and want to be in a position to capitalise on that."

Political commentators are sceptical about an October election, saying Mr Brown will want more time to introduce new policies and will not want to risk the premiership so soon after finally achieving his ambition of securing the top job.

A source at Brown's Downing Street office said the new prime minister was not ruling anything out. But the source added: "There's nothing to justify saying that this is because Brown is planning to spring an autumn election."

Mr Brown has appointed cabinet minister Douglas Alexander as his election coordinator.

A Daily Telegraph poll showed 41 per cent backing for Labour, 32 per cent for the Conservatives and 16 per cent for the centrist Liberal Democrats.

In another poll for the Times this week, support for Labour rose to 39 per cent, its highest level in 18 months, while the Conservatives fell to 33 per cent, the lowest since leader David Cameron took over as head of the party in December 2005.

Before it contemplates an election, Labour needs to build up its depleted base of party workers and local activists and replenish its treasure chest.

The party has debts of £25 million and a long-running police investigation of political party finances - closed last month without anyone facing criminal charges - put off donors from coming forward. Some commentators say Labour may be spreading election speculation to destabilise the Conservatives, struggling to end a run of three successive general election defeats to Labour.