Clark to call Nov 8 election this week

Prime Minister Helen Clark will call a November 8 election later this week, she said today.

Sources advised that the election date may not be officially advised until the Emissions Trading Scheme was passed so that the PM can sew up an important position at the United Nations.

"National and Labour are polls apart, the PM's spokesperson said "but we don't want everyone to know of the election date just yet."

"Like everything, the PM will officially tell you when she wants you to know," the spokesperson said. "She needs to speak to Winston Peters first, there's a sacking to be done and a bit more (National) policy to release."