Brown rejects call for early election

REFORMISTS called for a fundamental shakeup of Britain’s political system yesterday, saying the first ousting of a parliamentary speaker in 300 years was not enough to still public anger over an expenses scandal.

Opposition Conservative leader David Cameron said an early general election was the only way to give Britain a fresh start after disclosures about legislators’ expenses angered voters and tarnished the reputation of parliament.

But Prime Minister Gordon Brown rejected his demand, saying it was not the time for the “chaos of an election” in the middle of Britain’s worst recession since World War Two.