UK's Brown seen delaying poll until at least 2009

LONDON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Mounting problems facing British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, ranging from a weakening economy to a police investigation into party funding, virtually ensure he will put off an election until at least 2009, analysts say.

Cabinet minister Peter Hain quit on Thursday after electoral authorities referred to the police his late declaration of 100,000 pounds ($195,800) of campaign funding.

The party funding scandal, coupled with a bank crisis, a darkening economic outlook and a series of government blunders, has sent Brown's popularity plunging.

With his Labour Party trailing the opposition Conservatives by up to 10 points, political analysts believe Brown will try to batten down the hatches during this year's expected economic slowdown.

He will hope the economy will improve enough for him to regain the political initiative and win a fourth consecutive election for Labour in 2009 or 2010, the latest date he can go to the polls.

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This is important because it tells of what the future may have in store for the Gordon Brown's Labour Party and whether or not his party will remain in control. The U.K. may see a change in power in Parliament after the next election.

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