Brown

LONDON (Reuters):

Gordon Brown, who takes over as Britain's Prime Minister tomorrow, has sparked speculation that he may call early elections but analysts say it would be risky.

Brown, who served as finance minister throughout Tony Blair's 10 years in power, appointed Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander on Sunday as election coordinator. The move led to speculation Brown might try to cement his leadership by calling an election much sooner than the expected 2009 date.

The mass circulation Sun newspaper said Brown would call a general election within a year. It said the most likely date was June next year, but Brown could call a snap poll in 2007.

Legislators and analysts were sceptical that Brown, renowned for his caution, would risk rushing to the polls.

"I think an election before 2009 is very improbable," said Anthony King, professor of government at Essex University.

"I doubt Gordon Brown, having longed to be prime minister for 10 years, would likely risk his office."

It was risky for a prime minister to call an early election unless he had a large and enduring lead in the polls, he said.

Labour comfortably won a third successive election victory in 2005 and Brown has until May 2010 to call another.

Blair held his final meeting as prime minister with Labour members of parliament on Monday, telling them it was important to keep occupying the centre ground of politics, an aide said.