Prime Minister Gordon Brown has confirmed that he considered holding a snap election but said he wanted "more time to set out my vision for the future of the country". He said his "first instinct" was always that he needed more time to show voters how he was governing the country before going to the polls.

Former prisons minister Ann Widdecombe has confirmed she will stand down at the next general election. Miss Widdecombe, 60, who has been an MP for 20 years, will not seek re-election in the seat of Maidstone and the Weald.

David Cameron stood by a story he told about a disruptive pupil attacking a teacher amid claims from school governors that it never happened. The Tory leader recounted the tale in his speech to his party's conference last week in a bid to highlight the need to give headteachers more powers to enforce discipline.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended his decision not to call an early general election, rejecting criticism that it showed he was weak and indecisive. Opponents have derided Brown, accusing him of stoking speculation of an early vote only to lose his nerve in the face of opinion polls.

An MSN UK News special report examining all aspects of the Labour Party, from its historical roots to former Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown's appointment as British prime minister, via the ten-year reign of Tony Blair.

MSN examines the Conservative Party - from its historic roots to David Cameron's rousing speech, via the Thatcher era - in this special report.

Parliament is elected roughly every five years and is dissolved by the crown on the advice of the prime minister, who then calls a general election. Parliamentary sessions are held each year and begin in October or November.