Gordon Brown on Tuesday began clearing the decks for a snap November general election which could be called early next week, as he embarked on a programme of intense political activity by announcing British troop withdrawals on a visit to Iraq.

However, his trip and accompanying announcement that 500 more troops, on top of 500 announced in July, would be home for Christmas was condemned by the Conservatives as “a cynical exploitation” of the army for political purposes. The announcement drew criticism that he is resorting to the Blairite tactics of spin which he promised to eschew.