All this led to suspicions that Mr Moi plans to call a snap poll.

ECONOMIST: Kenyan gloom | The

Why, he asks, should a snap poll of activists change his fundamental view of the national interest?

ECONOMIST: Roll up that map of Europe

Mr Cameron's letter comes as Mr Brown refuses to dampen speculation of a snap poll as the deadline for an early November election approaches.

BBC: NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Cameron seeking Whitehall talks

Talk that Japan's prime minister may call a snap election for parliament's lower house at the same time as the upper-house poll in July will not die away.

ECONOMIST: Japanese politics