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General election: When is the next one and who decides? General election: When is the next one and who decides?
(14 days later)
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has denied that the National Insurance and business tax cuts in his Autumn Statement were a pre-election giveaway. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he expects to call a general election "in the second half" of 2024.
Speculation is growing about when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will call the next general election. There had been speculation it could be held in May, when some local elections take place.
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What the Autumn Statement means for you
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 held no more than five years apart. The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met.
The next election must therefore take place by 28 January 2025: five years from the day the current Parliament first met (17 December 2019), plus the time required to run an election campaign. In this case, that takes us to 17 December 2024.
However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.
That means the next election must be held by 28 January 2025.
Who decides when an election takes place?Who decides when an election takes place?
The prime minister (PM) decides when to call the election, but this has not always been the case. The prime minister decides, but this has not always been the case.
In 2011, a law was passed that removed the PM's power to choose the date of an election, and instead gave control to the House of Commons. In 2011, legislation removed the PM's power to choose the date of an election, and instead gave control to the House of Commons.
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.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 the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022.
This restored the PM's power to call elections at a time of their choosing, at any point within the five-year period. This restored the PM's power to call a general election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period.
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General election talk will dominate 2024
How does the PM call a general election?How does the PM call a general 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. The PM formally asks 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's reignRishi 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 generally takes place 25 working days later.
At the point of Parliament's dissolution, MPs lose their status, and have to campaign for re-election - assuming they decide to stand again. Some MPs choose to stand down ahead of a general election. At the point of Parliament's dissolution, MPs lose their status, and have to campaign for re-election. Some MPs choose to stand down ahead of a general election.
Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign.Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign.
What does the prime minister actually do?What does the prime minister actually do?
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How is the general election decided?How is the general election decided?
The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each one elects an MP to represent its residents in the House of Commons in London.The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each one elects an MP to represent its residents in the House of Commons in London.
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.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.
Most candidates represent a specific political party, but some stand as independents.Most candidates represent a specific political party, but some 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.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. After the votes have been counted, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister, and to form a government.
The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition.The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition.
If no party ends up with a majority of MPs - meaning it cannot "command the confidence of the House of Commons" to pass legislation with just its own MPs - the result is a hung Parliament. If no party ends up with a majority of MPs - meaning it cannot pass legislation with just its own MPs - the result is a hung Parliament.
At this point, the largest party might form a coalition government with another party. Under this arrangement, MPs from both parties serve as government ministers.At this point, the largest party might form a coalition government with another party. Under this arrangement, MPs from both parties serve as government ministers.
Alternatively, it can form a minority government, filling all the ministerial roles with its own MPs but relying on votes from other parties to pass any bills. Alternatively, it can form a minority government, filling all the ministerial roles with its own MPs, but relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws.
Find your MPFind your MP
What is the House of Lords and how does it work?What is the House of Lords and how does it work?
Who can vote in a general election?Who can vote in a general election?
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day has a vote as long as they are:Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day has a vote as long as they are:
a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizena 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 (the 15 year rule is expected to be scrapped in time for the next general election)resident at a UK address, or a UK citizen living abroad who has been registered in the last 15 years (the 15 year rule is expected to be scrapped in time for the next general election)
not legally excluded from votingnot legally excluded from voting
You can register to vote at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland.You can register to vote at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland.
How to register to voteHow to register to vote
What photo ID do you need to vote?What photo ID do you need to vote?
Can the opposition force an election?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.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.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, the government is expected to provide parliamentary time for a debate and a vote.If the leader of the opposition introduces such a motion, the government is expected to provide parliamentary time for a debate and a vote.
Former PM Boris Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in June 2022
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.
However, for a no confidence motion to pass when there is a government majority, the incumbent party's MPs need to vote down their own government - which is very unusual.
What is a vote of no confidence?What is a vote of no confidence?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
UK ParliamentUK Parliament
Rishi SunakRishi Sunak