SNP placed on UK election standby

The SNP would want to emulate its Holyrood success

Scottish National Party leaders have put their members on standby for a possible general election in October.

The party has speeded up its candidate selection programme in case Gordon Brown calls a snap contest.

Despite the move, SNP strategists have calculated that the chances of an early election could be as little as 25%.

The party said it was in its interests to be organised to maximise the chances of emulating its Holyrood success at Westminster.

The BBC's political editor Brian Taylor said the logic behind an early poll would be to give Mr Brown his own mandate and to capitalise upon an apparent Conservative stumble in support.

But he added: "Most informed observers think that Mr Brown would prefer a longer period in power before risking all at the polls."