Election announcement tipped as PM calls unscheduled press conference
Key to speak at 12.45pm, following retreat with all National MPs.
Prime Minister John Key has called an extraordinary press conference for 12.45pm today.
Mr Key's minders are tight-lipped about the subject of the unscheduled announcement, but Beehive insiders say he will reveal the date of the general election.
This morning, National MPs have been meeting at Mr Key's official residence at Premier House for the first major caucus of the year.
The prime minister has earlier indicated that he would announce the date well ahead of the election, breaking with the cat-and-mouse tradition that has seen previous administrations trying to keep the opposition guessing - often to the public's annoyance.
Rumours among the Parliamentary press core run from November 26, to a snap election ahead of the World Cup, to a cabinet reshuffle to an Afghanistan-related announcement.
MORE SOON.
NBR staff
Wed, 02 Feb 2011
Wed, 02 Feb 2011
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Election announcement tipped as PM calls unscheduled press conference
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