Brown in 'join us' call to rivals

Mr Brown made his plea during a question and answer session in Bournemouth as election speculation continued to swirl around the party's annual conference.

He said: "I will continue with the policy of reaching out to those people who share our views, who believe in a society built by working hard, playing by the rules, fair play."

And he continued: "People who believe in our views about British values, people who may have voted for, indeed are members of, other political parties but now see that the future of this country requires a Government that stands for these values."

The premier's comments are likely to fuel speculation at the conference that a Conservative MP may be about to defect to Labour.

Cabinet ministers and senior party officials began openly discussing the prospect of an early election.

Skills Secretary John Denham said opinion poll figures predicting election gains were "exciting" to see.

Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls, one of Mr Brown's most trusted confidants, questioned whether the bigger gamble was to go to the country now, while Labour was riding high in the opinion polls, or wait until next year or beyond.

"I think Gordon Brown will be looking very carefully at the events of this week," Mr Balls said.

Asked whether the premier was likely to risk an election in October or November, his right-hand man for more than a decade said: "It's a very interesting question as to where the gamble really lies."