Fleet Street is split on whether the prime minister should call a snap general election.

The Observer says that the next election should break with tradition and be held over a weekend.

But it adds that Gordon Brown "does not need a new mandate".

"A snap poll may be tactically appealing, but it would look opportunistic, dishonest even."

And the paper's leading article adds that the prime minister "must explain his political creed" before seeking a new mandate.

The Sunday Telegraph also says that an early election would leave questions over what the voters would be endorsing.

How the government will deal with the economy, the NHS, education, prisons and public sector reform should all be clarified, says the newspaper. "As voters, we are entitled to know the answer to those questions."

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times says a referendum on the new European Union treaty would be a "poll worth having".

And the Independent on Sunday notes that it is "a measure of Mr Brown's mastery of the political scene that he could he he wanted call an election next month, confident of winning handsomely".

But the prime minister "must show that he is more than a clever tactician and an adroit manipulator of symbols".

Amongst the tabloids, the Sunday Express says that "the question is no longer if he should call an early election, it's when".

The Mail on Sunday focuses its comments on Conservative leader David Cameron, saying he appears to have wasted the last six months.

Criticising Labour's record, the paper adds: "The risk is that Britain faces five more years of the same, unless Mr Cameron improves his performance significantly and fast."

The News of the World says it is "not so pleased" about the refusal to hold an EU referendum, but suggests Brown would win an early poll.

And the People "implores" Brown to hold a snap election. "If Mr Brown holds an election next month we are confident he would conclusively win it," says the newspaper.

"He could then get on with doing what he does best, governing our country without diversions."

The Sunday Mirror says it has "no hesitation" in advising: "Go for it, Gordon!" "There will be no better time," says the paper.