British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has dismissed on Saturday the prospect of snap polls before the end of the year despite mounting speculation he would do so in order to strengthen his position before pushing forward with new legislation on housing, healthcare and education.

Brown, who took over as prime minister and Labour leader from Tony Blair in July, has been telegraphing his intention to hold snap polls for months, analysts have said.

But he has now been forced to scrap them as Labour's lead in the polls has drastically dwindled in the face of a surging opposition, with Tories forecast to win more seats in marginal constituents, defeating some big-name Labour incumbents, polls show.

General elections in the near future could see Labour lose their majority altogether, but Brown denied the polls turnaround was to blame for his change of heart.

"There would not be an election this year, and unless there are exceptional circumstances there will not be one next year," Brown told BBC's Andrew Marr.

His interview gave Tory leader David Cameron another reason to take a pop at the Labour party, saying that the "Prime Minister has shown extraordinary indecision and extraordinary weakness."

Given Brown's reluctance to call a referendum on the new EU treaty, which stands a strong chance of being defeated, his prevaricating now adds more pressure on a cabinet that is yet to be tested at a nationwide election.

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