The new king of spin... (yes, it's Mr Brown)
GORDON Brown was last night accused of expanding his “spin” machine, ready for a snap election.
Spending on Government propaganda has already soared to nearly £340million a year.
It also emerged he has beefed up his Whitehall power base by recruiting an extra 100 civil servants to the Cabinet Office.
Critics claimed the moves were designed to pave the way for the Prime Minister’s bid to win a full term in Downing Street.
Further suspicions that Labour is preparing for a quick election were raised after a leaked memo exposed the party’s strategic thinking.
Written by Labour poll adviser Lord Gould is said the PM was advised to run a “shock and awe” blitz of Government announcements leading to an election within months.
Conservatives warned Mr Brown was stepping up the propaganda battle.
He is expanding his Whitehall machine to manage the news
Tory frontbencher Chris Grayling said: “There is no sign Gordon Brown is giving up the culture of spin that existed under Tony Blair.
“He is expanding his Whitehall machine to manage the news.
“With Gordon Brown you always have to remember to read the small print.”
Concerns over Government spin followed a report showing that the Central Office of Information increased overall spending by £14million last year to £337million, a rise of nearly five per cent.
Matthew Elliott, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Not only is this a complete waste of taxpayers’ money, it’s also a con.
“We’re paying for the Government to lie to us.
“The Prime Minister should ditch the public relations advisers and bring in honest government.”
Ministers attempted to dampen speculation that the Premier is preparing for a snap election as early as this October.
Cabinet Office Minister Ed Miliband, given the job of writing Labour’s next election manifesto, said: “It is important not to get carried away by opinion polls.”
But opponents suspect Mr Brown is following the strategy set out by Lord Gould in his memo, written two years ago but leaked yesterday.
The memo predicted that Mr Brown would enjoy a “honeymoon period” and a bounce in the polls on becoming Prime Minister.
