By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond said yesterday he was “raring to go” any time Gordon Brown wanted to call a Westminster election.

There had been fevered speculation over the summer that the Prime Minister might order a snap election in the autumn as Labour enjoyed a big lead over the Tories in the opinion polls.

Mr Brown has refused to rule out a general election but the prospect receded in recent days as a handful of polls put Labour and the Tories neck-and-neck.

In Scotland the SNP minority government is still enjoying good poll ratings and yesterday Mr Salmond appointed Angus MP Mike Weir as the party’s general election campaign co-ordinator.

Mr Salmond said, “The polls may be giving Gordon Brown mixed messages, but they all show SNP support up substantially from 2005 and closing on the Labour Party in Scotland.

“We are prepared for a general election, and have never been in a stronger position to take forward our positive message of standing up for the Scottish interest and independence and equality for Scotland.”

Mr Weir said arrangements for a snap election were “well advanced.”

He said, “SNP support is at an all-time high on the back of an enormously successful and popular Scottish government, and the public trust that has been built up by an administration that is delivering for the people of Scotland.

“Our general election arrangements are well advanced, and I look forward to delivering a successful campaign whenever Gordon Brown presses the button.

“The prospects of an early election wax and wane with Labour’s fortunes, but strong SNP support is emerging as a constant feature of all polling evidence in Scotland.”

In a recent YouGov poll 31% said they would vote SNP (up 13% on 2005), with Labour on 40%, the Scottish Tories on 16% and the Lib Dems on 11%.