LONDON - BRITAIN will vote in a general election on May 6, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Tuesday, warning that opposition Conservatives could endanger the country's fragile economic recovery.
'It's probably the least well kept secret of recent years, but the queen has kindly agreed to the dissolution of parliament and a general election will take place on May 6,' the Labour leader said.
Mr Brown had earlier gone to Buckingham Palace to ask Queen Elizabeth II to dissolve parliament so an election can be held.
Flanked by finance minister Alistair Darling and the deputy leader of the ruling Labour party, Ms Harriet Harman, Mr Brown said Britain's recovery from a deep recession would be the key battleground in the vote.
'Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk,' he told reporters, adding that he was seeking a 'clear and straight-forward mandate' to continue his economic policies.
Opinion polls suggest the race between Labour and the main opposition Conservatives, led by Mr David Cameron, will be very close. Some commentators are suggesting the result could see neither party win a parliamentary majority, a situation known as a hung parliament, which has not happened in Britain since 1974. -- AFP
'It's probably the least well kept secret of recent years, but the queen has kindly agreed to the dissolution of parliament and a general election will take place on May 6,' the Labour leader said.
Mr Brown had earlier gone to Buckingham Palace to ask Queen Elizabeth II to dissolve parliament so an election can be held.
Flanked by finance minister Alistair Darling and the deputy leader of the ruling Labour party, Ms Harriet Harman, Mr Brown said Britain's recovery from a deep recession would be the key battleground in the vote.
'Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk,' he told reporters, adding that he was seeking a 'clear and straight-forward mandate' to continue his economic policies.
Opinion polls suggest the race between Labour and the main opposition Conservatives, led by Mr David Cameron, will be very close. Some commentators are suggesting the result could see neither party win a parliamentary majority, a situation known as a hung parliament, which has not happened in Britain since 1974. -- AFP
