London - British opposition leader David Cameron on Monday called for early elections to act as a type of referendum on the different economic programmes of the country's major parties.

Cameron, head of the British Conservative party, criticized the government of Prime Minister Gordon Brown for creating massive public debt in pursuit of an economic stimulus package.

Cameron said the simplest way to prevent Brown's plan was to call early elections, adding that public debt could burden British taxpayers for generations. The next parliamentary elections in Britain must take place by mid-2010, but can be brought forward.

Cameron expressed confidence that under a Conservative government, he could reverse plans for increased taxes for higher earners and high contributions to the state health system.

Britain, in its fight against the financial crisis, has acquired a record level of debt, coupled with a temporary lowering of the value- added tax, in an effort to boost consumption.

Britain's national debt doubled in the current financial year to 78 billion pounds (116 billion dollars), and it is expected to grow to 118 billion pounds (or 8 per cent of the gross domestic product) in 2009.

In a poll published Tuesday by daily newspaper The Times, the Conservative party registered 39 per cent voter support (2 points lower than a month ago) with the Labour party unchanged at 35 per cent. (dpa)