Cameron 'not scared of snap poll'

David Cameron has launched an inquiry into social mobility

David Cameron says he would welcome a snap election when Tony Blair stands down as prime minister.

The Conservative leader dismissed as "rubbish" claims his party were terrified of a quick election because they would not be ready.

The Liberal Democrats have already said they are preparing for a snap election.

And Labour's chairman Hazel Blears has asked activists to be ready for a poll within 16 months. An election must be held by May 2010 at the latest.

But it is up to the prime minister of the day to decide the date.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is expected to take over from Tony Blair later this year, could decide to seek a personal mandate at the ballot box.

'Social mobility'

Mr Cameron dismissed reports that his party, which leads Labour in the opinion polls but not by enough to win an outright majority, would not be ready if Mr Brown decides to go to the country straight away.

"I would love to have an early election," Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"I can't wait for the opportunity to get rid of this government, because it's this government has been putting up the cost of living, that's wrecking the health service, that's failing to reform education, that's sending social mobility backwards."

He added: "I don't think anybody other than Tony Blair has a mandate, because he said he would serve a full term in office, so when he goes, his successor, I suspect Gordon Brown, will know in their heart that they don't really have a mandate from the British people."

Mr Cameron, who has pledged to position the Tories as the party of working people, said the average family's quality of life was worse now than five years ago.

'Improvements'

He said: "I think in some respects it is [worse]. Certainly people are paying more in terms of taxes, particularly council tax, which has doubled over the last decade, but can anyone say the services they are getting from their local authorities are twice as good? They can't.

"In some aspects, yes, quality of life has got worse."

He added: "We could be doing so much better as a country and that's why I have been changing my party to get into the centre ground of British politics where we can really serve the British people because they are crying out for an alternative."

Mr Cameron said it was "completely wrong" to suggest he had moved the party away from its traditional, right-wing roots.

He said this year would mark the development of a "clear contrast" between Conservative and Labour policies on social responsibility.

Mr Cameron said: "What I have done is taken the Conservative Party and made us address the big issues of our time, education and healthcare, the cost of living, and this year we will be talking more about social mobility."

The Tory leader has launched an inquiry into social mobility, which he says has reduced dramatically under Labour.