Election fever all over again

Also in the Guardian, Patrick Wintour reports on the tories' problems, including a collapsing poll lead:

Labour is wary of fuelling speculation after the debacle of not calling an election last year, but said if polls went in the same direction over the winter, an election in June, the date of the European elections, becomes a serious option.

If that isn't speculation, I don't know what is.

Don't mention the eco-towns

A promise to build ten eco-towns (up from five) was a highlight of Gordon Brown's speech to last year's Labour conference.

This year Brown said not one word about them, neither did Hazel Blears. The only minister to say a word about them was housing minister Caroline Flint, who said this in a little reported speech:

we will rise to the challenge of climate change, creating greener homes for all including 21st Century Eco Towns.