LONDON, June 21 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told senior Cabinet members the next general election, win or lose, will be his last, The Daily Telegraph reports.
After more than a decade in power, the Labor Party is unpopular, with polls giving the Conservatives a 26-point lead. Brown, who has now been prime minister for almost a year, must call an election by 2010.
Brown has reportedly said that if Labor wins he will step down in 2013 to give his successor some time as prime minister before the next election. By that time, Brown would be in his mid-60s with 16 years as chancellor of the exchequer, the No. 2 spot in government, and prime minister under his belt.
If Labor loses, Brown is expected to remain party leader only long enough to pick a successor.
Some Labor members of Parliament would prefer Brown to step aside before the election, giving the party a fresh face.
Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first Labor leader to take the party to victory in three successive general elections.
