Labour on alert for spring election

The Labour Party has been put on a war footing for a spring general election in a bid to rein in rebellious backbench MPs.

But election supremo Alan Milburn said today that it was "rubbish" to suggest Tony Blair had approved February as the date for polling day.

The manoeuvring came as former Tory frontbencher John Bercow refused to comment on claims he may defect to Labour in protest at Michael Howard's lurch to the right.

Mr Bercow's criticism of Mr Howard underlined Labour's belief the Tories are still in disarray and an early poll could take advantage of this. Internal party polls put Labour six points ahead of the Tories, pointing to another large majority.

Senior party sources confirmed to the Standard there had been a "gear change" in preparations for an election and they are ready to go whenever the Prime Minister chooses. May 5, 2005, pencilled in for months, still remains the most likely date.

The February option has been discussed, but there are problems associated with the move, sources said. Low voter turnout in winter, along with accusations of cutting and running before four years of Parliament, all but rule out that option.