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General election: When is the next one and could it be called sooner? General election: When is the next one and who decides?
(14 days later)
Labour has overturned huge Conservative majorities to win two by-elections - in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth. Labour overturned huge Conservative majorities to win two by-elections in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth in October.
It has led to speculation about what could happen at the next general election. The result led to speculation about what could happen at the next general election.
By-election results show terrible night for ToriesBy-election results show terrible night for Tories
When is the next general election due?When is the next general election due?
UK general elections - where all 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to the House of Commons - have to be called no more than five years apart.UK general elections - where all 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to the House of Commons - have to be called no more than five years apart.
The next election is therefore due by January 2025. The next election must therefore take place by 28 January 2025.
This represents five years from the day the current Parliament first met (17 December 2019), plus the time required to run an election campaign.This represents five years from the day the current Parliament first met (17 December 2019), plus the time required to run an election campaign.
Who can call an early election? Who decides when an election takes place?
The prime minister can call an early election but this has not always been the case. The prime minister (PM) decides when to call the election, but this has not always been the case.
In 2011, a law was passed which removed the PM's power to decide the date of an election, and instead handed control to the House of Commons. In 2011, a law was passed which removed the PM's power to choose the date of an election, and instead handed control to the House of Commons.
Under those rules an early election could only be held under certain circumstances - such as if two-thirds of MPs agreed. Under those rules, an early election before the end of the five-year term could only be held under certain circumstances - such as if two-thirds of MPs agreed.
However, after winning the 2019 election, the Conservatives introduced a new law called the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022.However, after winning the 2019 election, the Conservatives introduced a new law called the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022.
This restored the PM's power to call elections at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period. This restored the PM's power to call elections at a time of their choosing, at any point within the five-year period.
How is an early election called? How does the PM call a general election?
If a PM wants an early election they need to make a "request" to the King to dissolve Parliament - the official term for closing Parliament in order to hold an election. The PM needs to make a formal request to the King to "dissolve" Parliament - the official term for closing Parliament ahead of an election.
Rishi Sunak is the second prime minister of King Charles' reign Rishi Sunak is the second prime minister of King Charles's reign
Once an election is called, polling day is expected to take place 25 working days later.Once an election is called, polling day is expected to take place 25 working days later.
At the point of dissolution, MPs lose their status, and campaign for re-election (assuming they choose to stand again) At the point of dissolution, MPs lose their status, and campaign for re-election (assuming they choose to stand again).
Government also enters a "pre-election period"- previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and department activity during the campaign.
What does the prime minister actually do?What does the prime minister actually do?
How to be a former prime ministerHow to be a former prime minister
What perks do former prime ministers get?What perks do former prime ministers get?
Can an early election be forced? How is the general election decided?
A prime minister must have the "confidence" of the House of Commons, which means they must be supported by a majority of MPs. The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each one elects a MP to represent its residents in the House of Commons in London.
A motion of no confidence would see MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue. On election day, registered voters in each constituency vote for their preferred candidate in their local polling station. Some people vote by post in advance.
If the leader of the opposition introduces such a motion, convention means that the government should provide time for a debate and a vote. Most candidates represent a specific political party, but some people stand as independents.
In a general election, each person has one vote. Under the "first past the post" system, the candidate who gets the most votes becomes the MP for that area.
After a general election, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister, and to form a government to run the country.
The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition.
Find your MP
Who can vote in a general election?
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day has a vote. You have to be:
a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen
resident at a UK address, or a UK citizen living abroad who has been registered in the last 15 years
not legally excluded from voting
You can register to vote at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland.
How to register to vote
What photo ID do you need to vote?
Can the opposition force an election?
The prime minister must have the "confidence" of the House of Commons to govern, which means they must be supported by a majority of MPs.
A motion of no confidence sees MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue.
If the leader of the opposition introduces such a motion, convention means that the government will provide parliamentary time for a debate and a vote.
In order to pass, the motion needs just one more MP voting in favour than against.In order to pass, the motion needs just one more MP voting in favour than against.
If the government loses the vote, a general election is normally called.If the government loses the vote, a general election is normally called.
Former PM Boris Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in June 2022
It is also possible that the King could invite somebody else to form a government, if they could win a vote of confidence in the House of Commons.It is also possible that the King could invite somebody else to form a government, if they could win a vote of confidence in the House of Commons.
However, for a no confidence motion to pass, the incumbent party's MPs would need to vote down their own government - which is very unlikely.However, for a no confidence motion to pass, the incumbent party's MPs would need to vote down their own government - which is very unlikely.
What is a vote of no confidence?What is a vote of no confidence?
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UK ParliamentUK Parliament
Rishi SunakRishi Sunak