Its May 6th

Although 3rd June 2010 is the last date that the Prime Minister can call the next General Election, Bloomberg are reporting that Labour are urging activists to work to a timetable of 6th May.

A 34-page Labour document titled, “General Election Handbook Part 1 -- A day-by- day planner for your general election campaign,” was issued to candidates and local activists this week at the conference.

The document’s description of an April campaign suggests that Brown is planning to hold the general election the same day as voting for the local elections.

The handbook gives activists specific tasks to perform on every day, granting them 17 days off between Oct. 1 and March 31. On Thursday, March 18, it instructs them to “follow up budget coverage.” The Treasury usually publishes its budgets in March or April, though the date is a closely guarded secret until a few weeks before.

The detailed instructions stop at the beginning of April, when candidates are told “increase the campaign activity to a maximum level” and turn to the “Short Campaign Handbook,” which covers the final four weeks of an election.

The list of tasks for that month includes organizing a “Flying Start” blitz of activity for the first 48 hours after Brown names the day for voting. It orders activists to “correctly submit your candidate’s nomination papers

The document leaves open the possibility of an earlier election date, telling campaigners in that case to turn to the “Short Campaign Book.” That document has not yet been published.

The first item in the campaign schedule comes on Saturday, Oct. 3, when activists are asked to set up stands in their town centers to canvass for support. It’s followed by fundraisers, leaflet drops and evenings phoning voters. They’re given three days off in October, none in November, and a single Saturday, on Dec. 5, in the month before Christmas.

Can't wait to see how many signatures they get at their stall in Southend High Street!