Both cameron and brown have to understand what the majority of people want and I don't think either do .... We want out referendum as promised We want much more efficient government (and so reduce taxation, while improving services. Remember our prosperity is DESPITE Browns taxes, pension stealing, and an increase in real taxation of over 30% in 10 years which is totally unprecidented in modern times. We want people who have run real businesses and can do the same in governement (very few of the current government have a clue). We want politicians to resolve serious issues such as fixing Law and order .... remember rubish schooling and draconian regulation are the cause of nearly ALL crime, as is excessive taxation and lack of well paid jobs, or let us do it.. We must close our borders, and reduce the influx of cheap labour We want REAL leaders who are open, truthful, honest and above all make the necessary decisions for the people, not simply to stay in power

paul, bracknel, berkshire

The media dismissal of any Tory strategy to raise the European issue is mistaken. It conflates two issues: one is what the Conservative policy should be; and the other other is the extent to which the Party should emphasise it. Unfortunately too many have fallen for the (impressively spun) Labour line that mentioning it once at PMQs constitutes 'banging on' about it.

In the June 1999 European elections the Conservatives massively outperformed their May 1999 performance in the local elections. In 2004 the victory was less, owing to a spectacular UKIP result. The public seem to be with the eurosceptic parties on Europe. MORI polls show through the Tories' dark days the public has rated them equal with Labour on Europe, in contrast with large deficits on most issues. The problem in 2001 was not a sceptical stance to the EU but the priority it was given by Hague. Cameron is right to raise the issue - and make it into one of a broken promise - but he's also right to not let it dominate.

Tim, London, UK

A sensible article. I'd agree that the PM picking the date of the election gives odvious advantages but also huge risks. May is the likely date, but Labour talking about an earlier election could cause the Tories considerable pain.

Could the Brown bounce actually be a reaction by the public to Conservative in fighting?

Yellow Warrior, Reading, Berks, uk

*Brown* will avoid a potentially difficult party conference season? *Brown*?

Of all the three main party leaders he currently looks like having the least troublesome conference!

Marcus Cotswell, London, UK

I still see immigration as the big issue, if only the opposition has the nerve to grasp it. The fact is that net migration to southern England is completely unsustainable - you only have to look at the situation in Slough, Reading and other places along the M4 corridor to see the simple truth of that. Then there are the missed opportunities created by the sheer incompetence of the present government - just take HIPS as a shining example of that, never mind the chaos in the Home Office. Once a campaign started, the "Brown bounce" would soon evaporate.

Richard, Kidderminster, England

Brown would be mad not to go in October. He would avoid a potentially difficult party conference season given that not much will have changed on Iraq. At the same time there is the growing crises in the housing market. By next spring I predict that prices will be falling. This will temper any feel good factor. I would put money on October 11th - but maybe he will break further with the past and hold the election on Sunday 21st?

David Sindall, London, GB