Brown finally given Labour election role

Gordon Brown will finally take a central role in Labour's election campaign this week as the party capitalises on Tory disarray over the economy.

The Chancellor will mark his return to the fray with a presentation to the Cabinet on Thursday and press conference on Friday. Mr Brown will lead Labour's economic campaign for the next two weeks, as the Prime Minister calls the general election next Monday.

Mr Blair has been in discussions with Mr Brown in recent days as the Tories

reeled from claims that they were hiding the true extent of their planned cuts to public spending.

Some Blairites have criticised Mr Brown over his reliance on the "£35 billion spending cuts" charge. But allies of Mr Brown say the row has proved that the economy is Labour's strongest card.

Aides say there is no question of Mr Brown replacing Alan Milburn as the party's election coordinator.