Planning for an early election stepped up after Gordon Brown’s right-hand man suggested that delaying the poll may be more of a gamble.

The pressure on the Prime Minister to take the plunge in November became apparent when Ed Balls, the Schools and Families Secretary, said that Mr Brown was weighing up the impact of the Labour conference.

Another sign of an autumn poll is the possibility that the Government will announce early its spending plans for the next three years.

Behind the scenes, ministers say that Mr Brown’s natural caution may in the end impel him to go sooner rather than later.

Mr Balls said: “I think Gordon Brown will be looking very carefully at the events of this week.”

Asked whether Mr Brown would likely risk an election next month or in November, he said: “It’s a very interesting question as to where the gamble really lies.

“Clearly, over the last few months as Gordon Brown established his leadership, as he dealt with some of the difficult crises which have been thrown at him and at our country . . . not only did public opinion polls strengthen but underlying support for his leadership has strengthened as well.” But speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme he added: “I think the priority for him is that the country knows that his priority is delivering on their priorities.”

The Labour Party has already started to hire support staff to work on its election campaign. However, sources admitted that the 30 jobs the party has advertised could not be filled in time for a November poll.

Jack Dromey, Labour’s treasurer, told the conference that the party was “starting to gear up” for an election – whenever it was called. He told delegates that he was confident of Labour’s readiness, adding that the party was now “living within its means”, a reference to the £27 million in debts it ran up during the 2005 election campaign.

The Conservative Party’s election plans are gathering pace, with the Party Board this week approving new rules on candidate selection. Conservative headquarters will have the power to impose candidates on nontarget seats after consultation. These powers can only be used when a general election is “imminent” and they have been rushed through in anticipation of an early poll.

It is understood that candidates in all but half a dozen of the party’s 200 top targets have been chosen. Seats that are currently held by the Conservatives or are marginal will follow the procedures that are used in by-elec-tions. A special general meeting will adopt a candidate within 48 hours of a general election being called.

These procedures would apply in, for example, Croydon Central, after Andrew Pelling’s recent suspension, and Henley, which Boris Johnson is under pressure to vacate because of his almost certain selection as the Tory London mayoral candidate.

Tips to pull the punters

An election pack being handed to Labour activists in Bournemouth tells them in detail what to do in the campaign, from how long to chat to voters to what night to book a fund-raising dinner (Monday; it’ll be cheap). Among the tips:

— Canvassers should spend less time talking to low category electors who will probably vote Labour

— Ex-Labour voters who are undecided are high category voters

— Blitzing: when candidates run from door to door. They should spend 30 seconds with potential voters without getting into heavy discussions

— Homes with long front drives are less likely to get a visit

— Activists are told not to overwork new volunteers as “we want them to come back”. A two-hour task, then the pub is advised

— Agents are advised to take out insurance to cover accidental damage to cars

— Activists are urged to coordinate supportive letters to the local press

— Campaign material should feature “action images” such as a candidate cleaning up rubbish.

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