Nick Robinson on News 24: general election this year is off

Headline says it all really.

Let’s see how long it takes for a Labour loyalist to say, “Oh, but Gordon never ever intended to hold an election. He’s been courageous and decisive all along you know, and was never intending to hold an election. It has all been a clever wheeze you understand. But a statesman-like, getting on with governing the country approach at the same time, you understand.”

UPDATE: The party’s Chief Executive, Chris Rennard, has just sent round this message to party activists and staff:

It now looks as though Brown is just about to make a statement saying  imminent election.

The party has geared up tremendously well in recent months to fight this campaign.

We will keep up campaigning at a very high level until whenever the General Election is called.

We need to thank all the people at every level who have been working hard in anticipation of this campaign and ensure that we do not lose momentum.

The work of increasing our media profile, campaigning hard on the key issues, delivering the leaflets, making the phone calls, recruiting the members and raising the funds must continue.