Gordon Brown last night announced that he would make an autumn statement on the future of British troops in Iraq as he declared Britain was "at one" with America in the fight against global terrorism.

During a news conference with George W Bush at the presidential mountain retreat of Camp David, the Prime Minister again emphasised the shared values and common purpose of the UK and the US.

While the host lavished praise on his guest, describing him as "a problem solver" and "a glass half full man", the compliments were not reciprocated; Mr Brown instead spoke highly of American values.

In one intriguing phrase the Prime Minister described his one-to-one talks over dinner with the President as "full and frank", usually code for disagreements. Although Mr Brown's relationship with Mr Bush was clearly intended to be more businesslike than Tony Blair's - both men wore suits and ties - there were nonetheless light-hearted moments. The President told reporters that his visitor was "not the dour Scotsman ... or the awkward Scotsman but the humorous Scotsman".

To laughter, the PM responded by telling the President: "Your understanding of Scotland was enhanced by the fact that you went to Scotland at the age of 14 and had to sit through a very long Presbyterian church service in which you did not understand a word of what the minister was actually saying."

On Iraq, Mr Brown made clear there would be no quick exit, explaining how there were still "duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep" in support of the Iraqi government. The aim, he said, was a "step by step" transfer of control to Iraqi forces.

This had already happened in three out of four provinces under UK authority and a decision on the fourth, Basra, would be made "on the military advice of our commanders on the ground".

The Prime Minister stressed: "Whatever happens, we will make a full statement to parliament when it returns." This takes place on October 8, some three weeks after General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, is due to hand over his all-important report to Mr Bush. Mr Bush was adamant failure in Iraq would be "a disaster for the United States", stressing: "This Prime Minister understands that."

The President praised Mr Brown for the way he had handled the terror attacks in Glasgow and London so soon into his premiership, telling him: "You proved your worthiness as a leader."

He insisted that the world stood at the start of a "great ideological struggle" between the forces of freedom and justice and "cold-blooded killers".

Again, the Prime Minister studiously avoided any reference to the so-called "war on terror", instead he declared: "Terrorism is not a cause, it is a crime and it is a crime against humanity."

He described Afghanistan as the "front line against terrorism" and said whenever more troops were needed they had been provided by the UK. On Iran, Mr Brown said he agreed with the US that sanctions were working and that the "next stage" would be to strengthen them further with a new UN resolution.

He described Darfur as "the greatest humanitarian disaster" the world faced and said he had agreed with Mr Bush to "expedite" a UN resolution for a joint UN/African Union force. The PM promised support for regeneration if the UN conditions were met but "further sanctions" if they were not.

Today, Mr Brown is due to give a speech on international affairs at the United Nations in New York. As he does so, his political honeymoon appears to be continuing. A poll for The Independent gives Labour a three-point lead over the Conservatives since last month, reversing a five-point Tory lead. It puts Labour on 37, up five, the Conservatives on 34, down three, and the Liberal Democrats on 16, down two.

A survey for The Times, meanwhile, put the party six points clear of the Conservatives.